Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen discusses the revival of the 'climate wars' in Australian politics as Peter Dutton abandons emissions reduction targets for 2030. The decision raises speculation about the upcoming election and contrasts nuclear power with renewables. Australian political parties' policies on the climate crisis are examined, with a focus on economic and environmental implications. The podcast also covers a police assault incident and ABC chair Kim Williams's remarks on the Coalition's nuclear policy.
Peter Dutton's shift to emphasize nuclear power and delay climate targets has reshaped the upcoming election into a climate-focused battleground.
Implications of divergent climate policies by parties like the Coalition, Labor, and the Greens are significant economically and environmentally.
Deep dives
Peter Dutton's Decision on Climate Policy
Peter Dutton's recent announcement to abandon Australia's emissions reduction target for 2030 has sparked controversy and reshaped the upcoming election into a climate-focused battleground. Dutton's shift in policy towards emphasizing nuclear power and delaying climate targets until after the election has stirred debate within the coalition and raised concerns about Australia's climate commitments.
Political Strategies and Backlash
The political ramifications of Dutton's stance on climate change have divided opinions within the coalition, with moderate MPs advocating for climate action continuity while others, like Barnaby Joyce, suggest drastic measures like exiting the Paris Agreement. Dutton's determination to champion climate as an election issue, following the template set by Tony Abbott, reflects a strategic and unwavering approach to policy initiatives and electoral campaigning.
Economic and Climate Impact
The implications of divergent climate policies by parties like the Coalition, Labor, and the Greens are significant economically and environmentally. Dutton's proposed energy policy adjustments have faced critique from industry stakeholders for causing uncertainty and denting investment prospects. The varying emission reduction targets set by different parties indicate contrasting outcomes for addressing the climate crisis, with the Greens advocating for the most ambitious targets to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.
Two years ago, on the day after the Labor government was sworn into office, Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen called a press conference.
In those very first remarks, the new minister said the climate wars were over.
Some scoffed at the time. There were still plenty of political fights to be had over how Australia would reach net zero – but there was nonetheless a belief that Australia would move forward with climate policy. This week that changed.
Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the week Peter Dutton promised to tear up emission targets for 2030 and why the next election will be a climate election after all.