FED:Aust should show it's serious on climate change: Oxfam

AAP General News (Australia)
12-06-2009
FED:Aust should show it's serious on climate change: Oxfam

Eds: this is strictly embargoed until 0001 (AEDT) Monday, Dec 7. Pls do not use until then.



SYDNEY, Dec 7 AAP - The Australian government should show the world it is serious about
tackling climate change, despite the failure of its emissions trading scheme (ETS) legislation,
Oxfam Australia says.

Oxfam's climate change spokeswoman Kelly Dent said the ETS bill's failure to pass in
the Senate was no reason for not committing to "meaningful action on climate change in
Copenhagen" when world leaders meet this week to agree measures to tackle global warming.

"The ETS is only one of several mechanisms that would contribute towards reducing Australia's
emissions, others being greater energy efficiency measures and a boost in renewable energy
investment," Ms Dent said in a statement on Sunday.

She said Australia should improve the chance of a successful outcome at the UN climate
change summit by also announcing how much finance it would put on the table to help developing
countries adapt to the escalating effects of climate change and reduce emissions.

"The lack of commitment from rich countries on finance is seen as a deal-breaker in
these negotiations," she said.

Australia and other rich countries could set off a chain reaction that would lead to
a global climate agreement if together they put forward at least $US200 billion ($A215.68
billion) per year in new public funds.

"Providing climate finance is not about charity.

"It's about the responsibility of rich countries, who have directly contributed to
the climate crisis, to support poor people in developing countries, who are least to blame
but are already suffering from its effects.

"It is also about rich countries living up to what they have already promised to do."

She said $US200 billion a year was less than the annual subsidies provided as agricultural
support by rich countries to their industries ($US250 billion a year) and made financial
sense compared to the costs of inaction on climate change.

The International Energy Agency recently estimated an extra $US500 billion would be
needed for each year significant action on cutting emissions was delayed, she said.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for richer nations to contribute to
a "kickstart" fund of $US10 billion ($A10.78 billion) a year to help poorer nations tackle
and adapt to climate change.

AAP cdh/it

KEYWORD: CLIMATE OXFAM (REPEATING)

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