The most controversial subject in Australian politics right now is climate change. The Labor government, with support from the Greens and some independents, is currently pursuing legislation aimed at introducing a carbon price leading to an emissions trading scheme. This is being heavily attacked by the Opposition coalition, who says it will increase the cost of living, and harm Australia’s competitiveness.
Into this heady political mix came Lord Deben who, as John Gummer, had served in Thatcher and Major cabinets and been Britain’s longest serving environment minister. Visiting Australia as chairman of GLOBE International, the environmental NGO for legislators, he met politicians from across the spectrum, and gave a number of speeches, such as this speech at the University of Melbourne and interviews in major cities to The Australian and The Age. He also wrote his own opinion editorial for The Australian. I sat in on some of his calls.
He was careful to make clear that he had not come to tell Australians precisely how to tackle climate change: that was for the Australian political system to sort out. But he described the bipartisan consensus in the UK – on the science and on the necessary action. And he talked about the UK and EU legislative experience
This is probably the policy area where the differences with the UK are most apparent. On most issues, the UK and Australia see the world in a very similar light. In Britain, and indeed across Europe, there is broad political consensus on climate change. So why is the debate in Australia something of an outlier? There are a few science sceptics here, but that’s probably not the mainstream position. More significant seems to be the Australian economy’s heavy reliance on the resource sector and its rich coal endowment, which helps make it the biggest per capita carbon emitter. There is also a reluctance, post Copenhagen, to move unless everyone else does. But my impression is that there is less awareness here of just how much is being done on climate change elsewhere in the world, perhaps because it all seems a long way away? There is also less sense of urgency here than in the UK about business not being left behind technologically in the new low carbon economy.
We are following the debate with much interest. The British government is keen to see all countries, including Australia, set and meet high-ambition targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. That is essential if the world is to stand a chance of avoiding dangerous climate change. Exactly how Australia contributes to the fight against climate change is, of course, up to the Australian government and people. But we can and do explain what the UK is doing. There is some good material on our website. As Lord Deben told his interlocutors: in a globalised world, “we all affect each other’s climate.”