The ACT’s three party leaders will write to their Federal leaders urging them to take more action on climate change, following a motion by Greens MLA Jo Clay last week.

“We do not have time to pull in different directions. We need leadership, coordination, and action,” Ms Clay said. “I take real comfort in the progress we’ve made in the ACT, and there is so much more we can do and learn from others. We will only manage it if we have commitment and action at every level of government.”

However, the Canberra Liberals believe more should be done within the ACT itself, and called for a tripartisan action plan.

Following Ms Clay’s proposal, Chief Minister Andrew Barr, Greens leader Shane Rattenbury, and Liberals leader Elizabeth Lee will urge the leaders to recognise and declare a climate emergency, and legislate 2030 and 2040 targets that will take Australia to net zero; to immediately cease all new fossil fuel exploration, phase out fossil fuels, and end public subsidies to coal and gas; to set a national 100 per cent renewable electricity target by 2030; to commit to a national zero-emission transport plan; and follow through on every commitment Australia makes at COP26.

In his position as Minister for Water, Energy and Emissions Reduction, Mr Rattenbury will also write to his Federal counterpart with the same message.

Ms Clay’s motion also called on every Member of the Legislative Assembly to endorse action the ACT had already taken: signing up to the call for a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty (a grassroots call now supported by 17 cities and subnational governments around the world), joining the Powering Past Coal Alliance, rapidly phasing out fossil fuel including gas, and prioritising zero emissions transport.

“I’m incredibly proud of the ACT Government response to climate change and COVID,” Ms Clay said. “We’ve seen real leadership locally for both disasters. But we need national leadership too.”

While the ACT cut its emissions by 60 per cent over the last nine years, Ms Clay stated, the Federal Government had made no cuts, and emissions rose between 2011 and 2020. In the 2020–21 financial year, she said, the federal government subsidised fossil fuels to the tune of $10.3 billion – or $19,686 every minute of every day to coal, oil and gas companies, and major users of fossil fuels.

“That is our money going to the fossil fuels that will burn up our planet,” Ms Clay said.

“Grudgingly, our Federal leader has attended Glasgow, but actions speak louder than words. We’ve finally got a vague pledge about 2050, but it’ll be too late then. What about 2030? What about the legislated targets that will get us there? Targets that are consistent with the science and the Paris Agreement?

“The world has had a few wins at COP26 but we got almost nothing from our Federal leader. We’ve signed up to a deforestation agreement, which the states and territories will have to deliver. Smooth move to only make promises someone else makes good on! Our Federal leader agreed that EVs are maybe a thing, but he’s not quite sure. He’s still pouring money into fossil fuel. And Australia rejected the methane agreement and refused to sign.

“We might yet get more from COP26. It’s still going on. Or we might get more mantras based on denial and false hope in tech that doesn’t exist.”

Labor: ACT internationally recognised

Chief Minister Andrew Barr welcomed Ms Clay’s proposal.

“The ACT is delivering one of the most ambitious climate action agendas in the world,” he said. “We are internationally recognised for achieving 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2020, and for achieving our interim target of a 40 per cent reduction in emissions in that same year. These accomplishments signal our progress towards achieving our legislated target of zero emissions by 2045.”

Mr Barr said measures such as the Sustainable Household Scheme and the $50 million Vulnerable Household Energy Support Scheme would help Canberrans transition to net zero. The ACT had also invested in renewable energy infrastructure, such as the Big Canberra Battery, which will store 250 megawatts. An electric bus network and charging infrastructure for zero emissions vehicles would help Canberra cut the 60 per cent of emissions from transport.

“The ACT’s climate change response is urgent,” Mr Barr said. “It is ambitious; most importantly, it’s collaborative, it’s equitable, and it’s informed by an understanding that we all have a responsibility to act.”

Liberals: Climate change should not be a political issue

The Canberra Liberals did not oppose the motion, said Leanne Castley, Shadow Minister for Emissions Reduction, but she called for a tripatrisan agreed plan on how to reduce emissions, not just tripartisan support for targets.

“Action on climate change is sorely needed,” Ms Castley said. “That is why the Canberra Liberals support ambitious goals to reduce our emissions. We want to see accountability and transparency with clearly defined measures to achieve our targets – and seek a tripartisan approach to these challenges.”

Ms Castley defended her party from Labor and Green insinuations they were climate change sceptics (made when leader Elizabeth Lee announced she would attend COP26 in Glasgow).

“The Canberra Liberals are ambitious for our environment, and fed up with climate change being a political issue,” Ms Castley said.

She reiterated the Canberra Liberals’ position on climate policy: they supported the ACT’s 100 per cent renewable electricity target; zero net emissions by 2045; and the 2025, 2030, and 2040 interim targets; and accepted the science of climate change. 

“The Canberra Liberals have always had a strong position on climate action in the ACT,” Ms Castley said.

In 1997, the then-Environment Minister, Gary Humphries announced the ACT Government would work towards reducing the Territory’s greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent below 1990 levels by 2018 – “at that time, a bold and ambitious step”.

Ms Castley thought there was a lack of clarity about whether the ACT would meet its 2025 target, the policies to achieve those targets, and the cost to government and the community of reaching such milestones.

“We have much to do in our small Territory with regard to reducing transport emission and gas emissions. And frankly. I don’t think we’re on top of this. Talking together and showing real leadership taking the politics out of climate change would be a significant first step,” she said.