The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Labor Government said today that it will set targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2020, and 80% by 2050, based on 1990 levels. The announcement of the plans to enact tough carbon cutting laws comes after a national election that punished the ruling Labor party over lack of action on climate change. ACT, which includes the capital Canberra, said its Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Bill 2010 would set a target of cutting carbon emissions by 40 percent by 2020 from 1990 levels.
The cut would rise to 80 percent by 2050, with the aim of the territory of nearly 400,000 people becoming carbon neutral by 2060.
Last week’s national election left neither Labor nor the rival Liberal/National coalition with the 76 seats in the 150-seat lower house of parliament needed to claim victory.
Both parties are wooing four independents and the Greens to try to form a minority government.
“Governments have a responsibility to act on this issue,” said the ACT’s Minister for the Environment Climate Change and Water, Simon Corbell.
Corbell said the aim was to cut planet-warming carbon emissions by boosting renewable energy and increasing energy efficiency in homes and businesses.
The Bill establishes an independent climate change council and encourages the private sector to undertake voluntary agreements with the government.
Australia’s Greens party saw its national vote double to 12 percent in last weekend’s election, reflecting widespread anger over Labor’s perceived failure to honour its 2007 election pledge to take tough action on climate change.
Labor and the Liberals both back a 5 percent cut in emissions by 2020 on 2000 levels and Labor aimed to achieve this largely through an emissions trading scheme, with a higher target if the world agrees to a tougher climate pact.
But fierce opposition and two rejections of the laws by a hostile Senate led Labor to shelve the legislation in April, a step that angered many voters but boosted the popularity of the Greens because of their stronger climate policies.
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