CLIMATE PROTECTION BILL

This campaign is inspired by the success of a community-driven Climate Change Bill in the UK, which has achieved laws to cut greenhouse pollution and promote a clean energy future.

In 2005, communities across the UK decided they wanted their politicians to take action on climate change. They seized on a draft Climate Change Bill put together by green groups, and 130,000 people across the country contacted their MP to support it. In response, 400 MPs voted for the Bill and when passed in Parliament, the UK will become the first country to legislate binding limits on greenhouse pollution.

Now, in the lead up to Australia's 2007 federal election, community climate groups across the country have written a Climate Protection Bill The aim is to have the Climate Protection Bill introduced as a Private Member’s Bill into Parliament.

Below is an overview of the Bill. The complete legal draft can be downloaded from www.climatemovement.org.au and go to ‘Climate Protection- Act Now!’

If you would like to support the Bill:

· sign the on-line petition at the above website

· urge election candidates to support the Bill if elected. This can be via letter, email, postcard, phone, face to face meeting, petition or meet the candidate events.

Chris Gulaptis (National Party), PO Box 350, Lismore.NSW 2480

Janelle Saffin (Labour), PO Box 139, Lismore NSW 2480

Theo Jongen can be emailed via The Greens website. www.greens.org.au/Page

Below is an overview of the Bill:

• 1. That Australia ratifies the Kyoto Protocol.

• 2. That Australian greenhouse gas emissions are reduced to 30% below the 1990 emission levels by 2020, and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.

• 3. That the Government adopt a national strategy for greenhouse gas emission reductions to meet the targets. This strategy will be developed through public consultation. This strategy must address the tax deductions and subsidies provided to greenhouse intensive activities and industries.

• 4. That Government funding for research and development into demand side management, energy efficiency and renewable energy is increased to achieve the targets

• 5. That a national energy efficiency scheme is implemented.

• 6. That subsidies and tax breaks that support and encourage fossil fuel use are removed, and this funding is instead invested in renewable energy research and development

• 7. That the percentage of Australia’s energy being sourced from renewable energy sources is substantially increased.

• 8. That all Government agencies purchase electricity with 100% renewable energy accredited under the National Green Power Accreditation Program.

• 9. That the Green Power Accreditation Program is reviewed.

• 10. That a carbon accounting scheme is implemented. This could be in the form of either a Carbon tax or Emissions Trading Scheme, or both.

• 11. That new coal-fired power stations and new coal mines are prohibited, and plans to expand existing coal mines and other actions likely to result in the emissions of large amounts of greenhouse gases are thoroughly assessed for their greenhouse contribution through a 'greenhouse trigger' in environmental law.

• 12. That the construction or expansion of a nuclear power reactor is prohibited.

• 13. That logging in old growth forests in prohibited.

• 14. That the Prime Minister annually and publicly report on Australia's greenhouse gas emissions and the progress of a national strategy for reducing emissions. This report must include greenhouse gas emissions likely to result from the use of fossil fuels exported from Australia.

• 15. That each Member of the House of Representatives annually and publicly report on how they voted on decisions relating to climate change, and any action they have taken to help address climate change.

• 16. That the Government carry out a 'greenhouse impact statement' before any Act, regulation or statutory instrument is made, and report on this process annually.

• 17. That the Government amend the main Commonwealth environmental protection law to include a 'greenhouse trigger'. This law, the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, should ensure that projects having an adverse impact on the climate system are assessed and approved by the Commonwealth Government. Projects to be assessed include the expansion of an existing coal mine, and a change in land use or land clearing which results in emissions of more than 100,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases. New coal mines will be prohibited. The construction or expansion of a nuclear reactor and logging of old growth forests will be prohibited under the EPBC Act.

• 18. That the law setting a mandatory target for renewable energy use is improved. This law, the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000, should allow the renewable energy target to continue indefinitely. The definition of 'renewable energy' must exclude wood waste as it may cause the clearing of old growth forests. By 2010, electricity generators must source an additional 10% of electricity each year from renewable sources. This will be reviewed by an independent panel in 2010 and 2015. This will increase to 25 % by 2020. By 2050, 80% of all electricity consumed in Australia must be sourced from eligible renewable sources.

• 19. That a 'Just Transitions' Committee be established to plan for an equitable and fair transition for employees and communities affected by Australia’s commitment to a comprehensive greenhouse reduction program.