ACF has independently assessed the parties’ policies on 50 key tests across four broad areas – ramping up renewables, phasing out coal, stopping Adani’s coal mine and protecting nature.
The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) scorecard of the parties’ climate and nature policies has given the Coalition a fail, Labor a pass and the Greens a high distinction.
ACF has independently assessed the parties’ policies on 50 key tests across four broad areas – ramping up renewables, phasing out coal, stopping Adani’s coal mine and protecting nature – and has liaised with the parties before giving each a score out of 100.
ACF’s scorecard gives the Coalition’s policies 4/100, Labor 56/100 and the Greens 99/100.
“Stopping climate change and protecting nature are top issues for Australians at this election, according to numerous opinion polls and the ABC’s Vote Compass,” said ACF’s Chief Executive Officer, Kelly O’Shanassy.
“Australians are already being hurt by climate damage and they want to be represented by politicians who take the issue seriously and will act with urgency.
“The Coalition’s signature climate policy – the emissions reduction fund – has not curbed Australia’s climate pollution. For the Coalition to again offer this ineffective policy as its main plan to tackle climate change shows a disregard for farmers, survivors of natural disasters fuelled by global warming and the next generation of Australians.
“Labor has put forward a credible framework for cutting climate pollution and growing the renewable energy sector, but it is only halfway to full marks because of its blind spot on coal and gas, Australia’s biggest sources of climate pollution. In particular, Labor hasn’t set plans to phase out coal-fired power and hasn’t ruled out the Adani mine.
“Of the two major parties, Labor is miles ahead of the Coalition on climate commitments, but neither party is doing enough to make Australians safe from climate damage.
“The policies the Greens are taking to the election reflect the urgency of action scientific bodies like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change say is needed to keep global warming at relatively safe levels.
“ACF is non-partisan and we don’t tell people who to vote for. We aim to prompt a race to the top on strong climate and nature protection policies.
“We have been doorknocking and phone calling in key electorates for months, asking people to be climate voters. As a result more than 91,000 people have already made this pledge.
“I urge every Australian to think about the people you love when you choose who you will vote for in this election. Your vote affects their future.”
Read ACF’s scorecard and the methodology and detailed analysis behind it.
ACF worked with the parties that got the highest primary votes in the 2016 federal election to assess their policies. We also sent a survey to 25 key independents and minor parties standing at this election. You can read the responses we have received here.
