Media release: EEC welcomes new era of action with passage of Climate Change Bills 08 September 2022
“It’s time to get to work.”
The Energy Efficiency Council (EEC) welcomes the passage of the Climate Change Bill 2022 and the Climate Change (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2022. The passage of these Bills put emissions reduction targets for 2030 and 2050 into Australian law, signifying a new era of constructive climate action in Australia.
The Bills are an important statement of Australia’s intention to take climate change seriously and provide clear signals to businesses to make the investments we need to achieve a prosperous, net zero economy.
In particular, EEC CEO Luke Menzel noted the long-term guidance the legislation gives to the Australian community.
“The Climate Change Bills are an unequivocal statement of the task before us: we need to achieve net zero emissions inside three decades. We now know where we are going; every step we take towards that destination brings us closer to securing a safe climate and a prosperous future”, Mr Menzel said.
The EEC also welcomed the central role the Bills give to robust, independent advice on achieving the target through the Climate Change Authority. The Authority is charged with providing advice to the Minister and Parliament on setting future targets which could help accelerate progress towards net zero.
Mr Menzel encouraged governments and businesses to look for opportunities to increase the ambition of climate action as soon as possible.
“There is a huge opportunity to reduce emissions immediately through smarter use of energy, making ourselves more productive and competitive at the same time. These opportunities are available right now with existing technologies. It’s time to get to work.”
“There are plenty of tools that have spent to long in the toolbox, gathering dust, including ambitious action on energy efficiency. If we put them to work, we can make substantial, early progress on the journey to net zero.”
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Contact:
Tim Fisher, Head of Engagement
tim.fisher@eec.org.au
0414 893 313
Twitter - @EECouncil