In response to the news that Australia will sign up to international agreements to boost resilience to climate change and integrate climate risk into investment decision-making, the Australian Conservation Foundation’s climate program manager Gavan McFadzean said:
“It’s good that Australia is engaging in the pre-Glasgow negotiations – this year’s UN climate conference is shaping as the most important ever for global action.
“We welcome Environment Minister Sussan Ley’s announcement that Australia will sign up to international agreements designed to incorporate climate risk into decision-making and adapt to climate impacts that are already locked in.
“Australia is particularly vulnerable to heatwaves, droughts, bushfires and coastal erosion – all of which will continue to worsen as the climate heats – so it makes sense that our government is joining international efforts to boost resilience and account for climate risk.
“But the government must equally make sure its other policies – such as those designed to help Australia recover from the COVID pandemic – are not adding to the climate problem.
“Australia cannot shrug off its responsibilities to cut emissions, given we are among the highest emitters per capita in the world.
“If the Morrison government thinks it can convince the global community that by engaging in adaptation it has fulfilled its climate change responsibilities, it’s badly misread the room.
“By November’s COP in Glasgow the world will expect Australia to commit to at least net zero emissions reduction before 2050, with clear and measurable policies and interim targets to show how we will get there.”
Media reports today indicate Minister Ley will tell the 2021 Climate Adaptation Summit that Australia will join the Coalition for Climate Resilient Investment and the Call for Action: Raising Ambition for Climate Adaptation and Resilience.
