Australia Called A 'Free Rider' Amid Global Climate Change Concerns

Australia has been accused of turning into a climate change “free rider” as the country has fallen off the list of countries taking credible action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Africa Progress Panel’s 2015 report, Australia was named as one of the nations that appeared to have withdrawn from the international effort to tackle climate change.

The report, led by the panel of former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, said Australia has “gone from leadership to free-rider status in climate diplomacy.” The country also has one of the world’s highest per capita emissions.

After scrapping the carbon price in 2014, Australia was on course for emissions to increase 12 percent to 18 percent above 2,000 levels compared with the pledge of a 5 percent reduction by the end of 10 years, reports SMH. Australia’s emissions had increased 1.6 percent in the first nine months after the scrapping of the carbon price in June 2014, according to a separate report by energy consultancy Pitt & Sherry.

Australia’s emissions from petroleum, coal and natural gas had increased for the first time since November 2011. The new report said Australia, European Union and the U.S. should target deep carbon cuts by 2030 and zero emissions by 2050. China, the country with the highest emissions, is recommended to bring forward its planned peak, reports The Guardian.

The Abbott government has been facing mounting pressure to do more to reduce carbon emissions. A spokesperson for Australia’s Environment Minister Greg Hunt said the government was taking “significant action” to address climate change.

The government’s $2.55 billion Emissions Reduction Fund bought about 47 million tonnes of carbon abatement at the first auction April. The spokesperson said the government has contracted about four times the entire amount of emissions reduction for the duration of Labour’s carbon tax scheme.

The release of the Africa Progress Panel report came as nations had gathered in the German city of Bonn as part of the preparation for the Paris conference. Australia’s delegates were questioned by foreign representatives. Countries like the U.S., China, Japan and New Zealand grilled Australia and its commitment to meet its 2020 goals.

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