6 April 2006 - Leading Australian
businesses have acknowledged their crucial role
in delivering an effective response to climate
change, the Minister for the Environment and Heritage,
Senator Ian Campbell, said today.
Senator Campbell welcomed a report from the Australian
Business Roundtable on Climate Change, The Business
Case for Early Action, which highlights that climate
change is an important issue for business.
He agreed with findings in the report that business
has a pivotal role in delivering an effective
response and said climate change was one of the
most pressing issues facing the world today.
“I’m encouraged to see six of Australia’s leading
companies – representing a cross-section of the
Australian economy – identifying climate change
as a serious long term issue presenting risks
and opportunities for business,” Senator Campbell
said.
“I share the Roundtable’s concerns about the threat
of climate change and the need for an effective
global and national response.
“The Australian Government is playing its part,
both internationally and domestically. We are
investing almost $2 billion in action to reduce
Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions.
“We are pursuing a comprehensive range of initiatives
to better understand the drivers and impacts of
climate change, and the best ways to respond.
These actions through all sectors of the economy
have Australia on track to meet its Kyoto target.”
Senator Campbell said the Roundtable agreed with
the Australian Government that technology is an
essential part of the solution, and that innovation
and investment in emerging and breakthrough technologies
must be encouraged.
“New technologies will lay the foundation for
our transition to a low emissions future. The
Australian Government’s $500 million Low Emissions
Technology Demonstration Fund is a significant
component of our national climate change strategy,”
Senator Campbell said.
The Roundtable report has also drawn attention
to the need to build resilience to the impacts
of climate change throughout Australia and integrate
adaptation into decision-making.
He said the Australian Government’s $14.2 million
National Climate Change Adaptation Programme was
helping state and local governments, industry
and communities plan for the unavoidable impacts
of climate change.
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has
also recognised the need for nationally coordinated
work on adaptation. The Australian Government
is working with the states and territories to
develop a National Adaptation Framework for COAG’s
review by the end of this year.
“I look forward to ongoing discussions and collaboration
with the Roundtable members and the wider Australian
business community, to ensure Australia’s actions
continue to meet the climate change challenge,”
Senator Campbell said.
