Media
release - 12 May 2009 - The Rudd Government
is providing over $15 billion to implement
a comprehensive response to climate change
to safeguard our environment, sustain our
society and support our economy.
The Government has developed
a comprehensive and integrated suite of
climate change policies and programs to
guarantee that emissions come down, and
provide incentives for action as we meet
our ambitious 2020 pollution reduction targets
and transform our economy.
"The Australian
Government Climate Change Strategy provides
the long-term framework and confidence required
to create the new jobs and businesses of
a low pollution future," Minister for
Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny
Wong said.
"We will play our
part in global efforts to address climate
change through our ambitious emissions reduction
targets and support climate change science
and adaptation initiatives.
"The Government
is also making a substantial investment
in developing low carbon energy technologies,
giving investors the confidence required
to back low-emissions technologies and industries
to assist Australia's transition to a low
pollution future." Senator Wong said.
This Budget, the Government
is investing $4.5 billion in the Clean Energy
Initiative.
"The Government
will provide new funding of $1.365 billion
in the Solar Flagships Program, which will
position Australia to be a world leader
in solar power generation capacity,"
Senator Wong said.
The Initiative funds
the establishment of a new body, Renewables
Australia to support leading edge technology
research with new funding of $100 million.
It will bring renewable technologies to
market at acceptable cost, advise on the
implementation of renewable energies, and
support growth in skills and capacity for
domestic and international markets.
The Initiative also
provides new funding of $2 billion for industrial-scale
carbon capture and storage projects under
the Carbon Capture and Storage Flagships
Program.
The Government is also
providing funding of over $4 billion for
a suite of energy efficiency measures to
reduce energy use and carbon pollution in
homes, communities, business and industry,
providing the biggest single investment
in energy efficiency in Australia's history.
Ambitious action on
energy efficiency and well-designed limited
transitional support for our emissions-intensive,
trade-exposed industries will also support
existing industries and jobs.
The Rudd Government
will provide up to $100 million in 2009-10
for the National Energy Efficiency Initiative
to develop an innovative smart-grid energy
network.
Combining broadband
with intelligent grid technology and smart
meters in homes, this demonstration project
will enable greater energy efficiency and
better integration of renewable energy sources,
such as solar and wind power.
To enable Australia's
emissions reduction target to be achieved,
the Government will implement the Carbon
Pollution Reduction Scheme and accelerate
the transformation of energy supply through
the Renewable Energy Target.
The Carbon Pollution
Reduction Scheme is the major driver in
Australia's strategic response to climate
change.
"The Climate Change
Action Fund will provide $2.75 billion in
support for businesses, industry, community
organisations, workers and regions,"
Senator Wong said.
The Government will
provide limited direct assistance to coal-fired
electricity generators through the Electricity
Sector Adjustment Scheme to assist these
businesses adjust to a carbon price.
"Support will also
be provided to low-income households, pensioners,
seniors, carers and people with a disability
to fully meet the expected overall increase
in the cost of living flowing from the Carbon
Pollution Reduction Scheme, while middle-income
households will receive additional support
to help meet the expected overall increase
in the cost of living" Senator Wong
said.
The Government recognises
that many Australians households and small
businesses want to continue to engage in
individual action to reduce emissions.
To further support this
voluntary action, funding of almost $76
million will be provided over five years
to establish the Australian Carbon Trust,
which will provide information and tools
for households and businesses to participate
in Australia's climate change response.
+ More
New support for Coral
Triangle Initiative
Media Release - 15 May
2009 - Australian Environment Minister,
Peter Garrett will today announce more than
$2 million in immediate funding for critical
projects for the Coral Triangle Initiative
(CTI) at a meeting of the CTI nations in
Manado, Indonesia.
Mr Garrett said Australia's
funding is the first phase of an ongoing
plan to support the CTI and would support
early action by Coral Triangle countries
as well as the permanent CTI Regional Secretariat.
"This investment
will focus on areas where we can make the
greatest contribution by sharing our knowledge
and directly supporting capacity building
in marine biodiversity conservation, sustainable
fisheries, protecting vulnerable marine
species and community empowerment,"
Mr Garrett said.
"The partnership
between Indonesia, Timor Leste, the Philippines,
Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon
Islands is about ensuring better marine
conservation and sustainable oceans management
and I applaud the CTI nations for their
vision and commitment."
On Wednesday the Minister
joined world leaders, ministers and leading
marine experts in signing the Manado Oceans
Declaration.
Mr Garrett said Australia
welcomed Indonesian President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono's leadership in hosting the World
Oceans Conference and in developing the
declaration.
"This declaration
signifies a global consensus. Ocean health
is a priority and we have to take collective
action and not ignore the effects of climate
change on oceans and coasts," Mr Garrett
said.
"Our oceans and
coasts are already under extreme pressure
from climate change, expanding populations,
coastal development, unsustainable and destructive
fishing practices, marine invasive species,
land run-off and marine pollution and this
declaration is a call to governments to
work together in responding to these threats.
It is an important step forward," he
said.
MANADO, INDONESIA
