Former EU Commissioner for Climate Action to discuss Australia’s emission targets in Sydney

Sydney Town Hall will host the first major public discussion about Australia’s emission targets for the Paris Climate Conference following the federal government’s announcement of new emissions targets.

The CityTalk, The Politics of Climate Change, will be led by Connie Hedegaard, international climate expert and former EU Commissioner for Climate Action, on Tuesday 25 August at Sydney Town Hall, 6.30pm–8pm.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the public is invited to the first free major public debate among climate experts and political leaders following the release of the Australian Government’s climate targets.

“This week’s announcement by the Prime Minister that Australia will only aim to reduce carbon emissions by 26-28 per cent by 2030 is disastrously inadequate,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“We are the last generation that can make a difference for future generations. Yet the Abbott Government’s target effectively puts Australia last compared with other developed countries.

“It is shocking that in the year 2015, Australia’s leader can say that taking action on climate change would hurt our economy. Failure to transform Australia’s economy for the low carbon future will be infinitely more damaging.

“The CityTalk will give us the opportunity to discuss Australia’s new targets and role in upcoming international climate negotiations.

Former EU Commissioner for Climate Action, Connie Hedegaard has been a key figure in keeping climate change at the top of the EU and international agenda.

Ms Hedegaard said while it is positive to see the Australian government acknowledge that climate change is real and must be addressed, Australia’s climate action could be more ambitious and determined.

“When I am in Sydney later this month for the City of Sydney’s City Talk, The Politics of Climate Change, I will be asking tough questions to try and understand these issues better,” Ms Hedegaard said.

“I will be asking – why not more, and not now? What is the Australian government waiting for?”

Panellists at the CityTalk who will discuss Australia’s targets and contribution to Paris include Mark Butler MP, Shadow Minister for the Environment, Larissa Waters, Australian Greens Deputy Co Leader and Senator for Queensland and Dr John Hewson AM, former Leader of the Liberal Party. 

CityTalk –The Politics of Climate Change

When: Tuesday 25 August, 6.30pm–8pm.

Where: Sydney Town Hall, George Street

Tickets are free but booking essential at ticketmaster.com.au, call 136 100.

This CityTalk event is supported by the City’s official media partner, The Guardian, and event partner, the Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology, Sydney.

The United Nations Climate Change Conference will be held in Paris, France in November 2015. Representatives of more 190 nations will discuss a possible new global agreement on climate change, aimed at reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and tackling the threat of dangerous climate change.

“We need a strong international commitment to tackle climate change and Paris will give us an avenue to achieve that. Meanwhile, the City of Sydney is not waiting – we are acting,” the Lord Mayor said.

“We have one of the most ambitious greenhouse gas reductions of any Australian government – cutting emissions by 70 per cent from 2006 levels by 2030.

“We are Australia’s first carbon-neutral government and have already reduced emissions in our own buildings and operations by over 23 per cent. Greenhouse gas emissions in Sydney have continued to fall since 2006 while our economy has remained one of the strongest in the country.

“Our target is consistent with a target to contain global warming to two degrees that will see Sydney play its part in the global push to reduce emissions.”

The City of Sydney Council this week approved a draft Climate Change Adaptation Strategy; Energy Efficiency Master Plan; and Residential Apartment Sustainability Plan. The City has a suite of green infrastructure master plans including renewable energy, advanced waste treatment and decentralised water.

The City’s sustainability achievements to date include:

  • Replacing more than 5,136 street lights with more efficient LEDs. When all the City’s 6,450 street lights are replaced, the project will save up to $800,000 in electricity bills and maintenance a year and reduce energy use from street lighting by nearly 45 per cent;
  • Installing solar photovoltaic panels on major buildings across the city. Over 2,050 panels have already been installed across 18 sites so far. The installation is expected to deliver a 4 per cent reduction in the City’s overall carbon emissions, saving up to 2,074 carbon emissions a year;
  • Reducing emissions from the City’s fleet of vehicles by 30 per cent;
  • Planting more than 10,250 new street trees since 2005 to absorb pollution and provide shade and help increase the City’s urban canopy cover by 50 per cent by 2030; and;
  • Harvesting and treating 850 million litres of stormwater through a water reuse system at Sydney Park. 

For more information visit City of Sydney