WELCOME
John Grimes, Chief Executive Smart Energy Council
destructive fossil fuel, marketing it as ‘natural
backing a plan to make capacity payments
gas’ (as if ‘natural’ equals ‘good’). But this
to new and existing coal- and gas-fired
‘natural’ gas, which is predominantly methane
generators ostensibly to ensure sufficient
gas, is 25 times more potent than carbon
generation capacity is available to meet
dioxide as a greenhouse gas. Methane leaks
electricity demand at all times.
in the distribution system are common, and
These payments could cost taxpayers up
carbon emissions created from burning gas
to $7bn a year, which is a staggering $400
are significant.
per household per year. The effect will be to
In a massive sleight of hand, the fossil fuel
encourage existing and new gas generation
TIME TO CUT THE GAS
industry is playing a pea and thimble trick
to come online, and to keep emissions-
COAL HAS RECEIVED the lion’s share of attention
on a grand scale. Focus on coal. Don’t make
intensive coal plants in the system for as
eye contact with gas. Gas generation can not
long as possible.
for its destructive role in climate change caused by its substantial contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, but the focus on coal has allowed the other highly polluting Australian fossil fuel – gas – to fly under the radar. For decades the gas industry has played a sophisticated game of greenwashing this
IN MY VIEW
only be allowed to continue but also undergo expansion. In the United States the gas fracking industry has boomed. And in Australia things are dire. The federal
It is time for a concerted campaign to put a stop to fossil fuel gas. Full stop. As UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said, the IPCC Report is a ‘Code Red’ for humanity and “this report must sound a death knell for
government has put gas at the heart of its
coal and fossil fuels, before they destroy our
plans for a post-COVID economic recovery.
planet”.
Now we learn the federal government is
Amen.
Cristina Talacko is Chair, Coalition for Conservation
CLIMATE ACTION AND CONSERVATISM ARE NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE WE’VE ALL HEARD that climate change is a global challenge that requires a global solution and that it’s imperative that global forces combine to collectively reduce emissions to secure a viable future for the next generations. But it is also time to show the global community that conservatives take climate change seriously. For this reason, Coalition for Conservation has joined forces with international organisations like the UK Conservative Environment Network and the American Conservation Coalition to host the first-ever Global Conservative Climate Summit (GCCS) alongside COP26 in Glasgow this November. Our summit will be an important platform that unites conservatives from across the world to collaborate and pursue market-based solutions for the ever-growing environmental challenges society faces. This discussion will be facilitated by thought leaders and prominent lawmakers, aiming to enhance policy that will strengthen our economies while protecting the planet. 2 SPRING 2021
Climate action and conservatism are not mutually exclusive: protecting our planet, achieving net zero-emission targets, and strengthening our economy must occur simultaneously. Conservative values were born from a desire to achieve individual freedom, a free market, and equal opportunity and the key to providing security to people and maintaining a prosperous economy is a healthy stable environment. Climate change poses a major threat to financial stability and national security, and there is no question that the global community is becoming increasingly concerned. The good news is that technological advancements and market mechanisms can enable a climate-friendly free market and help to reduce emissions. The strong economic case for clean technologies continues to
produces no greenhouse gas emissions. That is why conservatives must incentivise innovation while encouraging responsible corporations and individuals to embrace nature-based solutions. Conservatism must also pursue growth for both Australia and poorer countries by licensing our climate-change technology and encouraging private investment and free trade. Finally, Australia is very well placed to set out a clearly articulated pathway committing to net zero emissions by 2050 and renewables
grow, and renewables are the perfect example
as well as international collaboration will play
that it can be done in an economically viable
a pivotal role. Business and technological
way. If we diversify energy supply, economic
ingenuity are already here, all we need
development will follow, and jobs will be
now is political will and the support of our
created while we also generate energy that
conservative leaders.
