[extropy-chat] New Asia-Pacific climate plan

[Damien Broderick]

Dennis Shanahan, Political Editor
27jul05

AUSTRALIA has joined the US, China, India and South Korea in a secret 
regional pact on greenhouse emissions to replace the controversial Kyoto 
climate protocol.

The alliance, which is yet to be announced, will bring together nations 
that together account for more than 40 per cent of the world's greenhouse 
gas emissions.

To be known as the Asia-Pacific Partnership for Clean Development and 
Climate, the grouping will aim to use the latest technologies to limit 
emissions and to make sure the technologies are available in the areas and 
industries that need them most.

The US and Australia have refused to sign the Kyoto protocol -- an 
international agreement setting greenhouse gas emission targets for 
developed countries by 2012. China and India are not limited by it because 
they are considered developing economies.

The US initiative has been discussed between the five nations for five 
months and is viewed as a practical attempt to rein in greenhouse emissions 
without harming development or economic growth in the region.

John Howard discussed the greenhouse strategy with US President George 
W.Bush and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in a series of meetings 
at the White House during Mr Howard's trip to Washington last week.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held meetings with Mr Bush on the same 
topic on the same day.

The US has been driving the negotiations but Australia has been part of the 
deal, given its vital interests in coal and gas exports to China and South 
Korea, as well as negotiations with China on uranium sales for nuclear energy.

While Mr Howard and Mr Bush concede there is a threat from climate change, 
they have refused to sign the Kyoto protocol and are instead looking at a 
"post-Kyoto" strategy.

The Howard Government, which believes Kyoto will harm Australia's economy 
and hurt coal exports, yesterday released a report on greenhouse gas 
emissions.

The report warned climate change was inevitable and Australia should expect 
higher temperatures, more droughts, severe cyclones and storm surges in the 
next 30-50 years.

In Australia, the CSIRO predicts temperatures could rise between 1C and 6C 
by 2070. Average global temperatures have already risen 0.6C in the past 
100 years as a result of accumulated greenhouse gases.

The report identifies Cairns, the Murray Darling Basin and south west West 
Australia as the three regions most vulnerable to the expected consequences 
of climate change.

Federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell conceded Australia would have to 
do more to reduce greenhouse gases but said the Kyoto protocol was not the 
answer.

"You need a comprehensive agreement that involves all of the major 
emitters. At the moment we don't have that," he said. "By moving more and 
more towards renewable (energy), such as solar and wind, and a whole range 
of technologies that we can develop here in Australia and ultimately export 
to places like China and India -- building partnerships with these 
countries is going to be the solution."

In April, The Australian revealed Australia's role in brokering the 
new-generation greenhouse reduction plan. Discussions at that stage focused 
on moving away from binding greenhouse gas reduction targets to voluntary 
emission reductions for industry.

Mr Bush and Mr Howard are convinced modern technology, which can improve 
efficiency and reduce waste in industry and power generation, is the key to 
reducing greenhouse emissions.

© The Australian