Abbott contradicts world leaders on climate action economics

Tony Abbott has placed reassurances around economic growth at the fore of his climate target of reducing emissions by 26 to 28 per cent on 2005 levels by 2030.

Speaking at yesterday’s press conference in Canberra, Abbott emphasised that the Government’s focus “is always on growth and jobs”.

“We have got to be environmentally responsible but we have got to be economically responsible too,” said Abbott.

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“We have got to reduce our emissions in ways which are consistent with continued strong growth, particularly with continued strong jobs growth.

“The last thing we want to do is strengthen the environment and at the same time damage our economy—that is the Labor way, to put the environment ahead of the economy,” Abbott said.

However, other world leaders have focused on the economic implications of failing to address climate change and the growth opportunities around renewable energy.

British Prime Minister David Cameron opened his UN Climate Summit speech last year by stating that climate change itself is a direct threat to “economic prosperity” moving forward.

Barack Obama’s climate change action plan notes that weather is becoming more extreme due to climate change and is costing the American economy US$100 billion a year.

Further, Obama’s Clean Power Plan looked to boost the economy by “creating tens of thousands of jobs.”

Opening the Business & Climate Summit in May, France’s President Francois Hollande, said climate action will have “extremely positive consequences on economic actors, on future technologies, on employment and on growth.”

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Speaking at the G7 dialogue forum in March, Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, wanted to develop “a more low-carbon and resource-efficient economy, advance the relevant innovations and technologies, and make sure the funding is in place for adapting to the effects of climate change.”

Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, has highlighted the role the Japanese economy can play in tackling climate change, “particularly in the field of energy efficiency related technology.”