Scomo’s Huge Cop(26) Out
Australia has been featured continuously in international news over October and November. Phoebe Metcalfe breaks down how Australia received its reputation as the dunce of the developed countries.
Over the last month, PM Scott Morrison has conducted an embarrassing display of leadership after embarrassing display of leadership, on a global platform.
Prior to the COP26 conference in Glasgow, the Australian Government announced their climate action ‘plan’ which finally committed to a target of net-zero by 2050. Australia finally joined the elite group of developed countries that committed to these targets, however, the ‘plan’ includes no legislation to get us there.
“Legislation brings in laws, and laws outlaw things, and laws are enforced with penalties.” – Barnaby Joyce during Question Time
What Does it Mean to be Net Zero?
Net-zero is a break-even point where the amount of carbon dioxide Australia removes from the atmosphere is the same, or more than the amount it emits.
COP26
When did the PM decide to attend the annual UN Climate Change Conference? Essentially, he was bullied into RSVPing as the world called out Australia for failing to commit to the event. Queen Elizabeth II expressed her disappointment in the leaders of Australia, China, and Russia stating, “Extraordinary isn’t it, I’ve been hearing all about COP… still don’t know who is coming … no idea.”
“We only know about people who are not coming,” the Queen said, “It’s really irritating when they talk, but they don’t do.”
On top of the Commonwealth and Monarch boxing SlowMo’s ears, a HUGE billboard sat in Times Square, NY, labelling the PM as “Coal-o-phile Dundee”.
Dan Ilic organised the Times Square billboard labelling Scott Morrison as “Coal-o-phile Dundee”, via YouTube.
Maybe We Shouldn’t Have Attended?
Things really didn’t get better for Australia’s reputation after attending the conference, as it became even more evident that Australia was falling behind, crossing our fingers and just hoping climate change will leave us alone.
The Chief Climate Councillor, Professor Tim Flannery, said of Morrison’s speech, “Our PM stood up in front of the world and effectively promised to do nothing. If speaking spots at COP26 were determined by the strength and merit of each country’s commitments, then the PM would not have been given the mic.”
The chair of the Climate Change Committee, Lord Deben said that the climate change plan was “squeezed out of” Morrison, and, “It’s very sad that a great country like Australia should change our climate.”
“Because that’s what happens. If you allow people to keep on doing this, it’s our climate as well as theirs that’s changed.”
On top of this, the conference witnessed the further straining of relations between France and Australia, with the French President, Emmanuel Macron accusing Morrison of blatantly lying to him, regarding the submarine contract Morrison pulled. Not to mention this little slip up:
@peoplesdaily_renminribao #AustralianPM #Australia #China #Morrison #climatechange #cop26 #fyp #fypシ
How Does Australia Compare to Other Developed Countries?
It was announced after COP26 that out of 64 countries that attended, Australia ranked dead last for our climate action policy.
Guardian graphic. Sources: Climateanalytics.org, Guardian analysis.
Crunching The Numbers
The government claims that we will exceed our initial target of reaching 26-28% below 2005 levels of emissions by 2030, and we will most likely hit a nice 35% reduction figure.
The “Australian Way” climate plan announced that $20 billion will be invested into the development of these technologies between now and the end of the decade.
However, without any solid legislation, the Morrison Government says they will rely on existing and emerging technologies, which will supposedly get the country 85% of the way to net-zero.
Feature Image by Phoebe Metcalfe, Staff Writer.
