The Federal Greens are pushing for the goal of establishing a carbon neutral economy before 2050, saying “The Climate [Change] Commission's (CCC) first report sets out the clear scientific case that Australia must move swiftly to build a zero carbon economy well before 2050”.

 

The Greens have accused the Federal Opposition and industry groups of supporting ‘weak climate action’, while also saying the CCC’s report supports immediate and substantial action.

 

"The science is clear - whatever we do now needs to put Australia on the path towards zero emissions as fast as possible," Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said

 

"The time for coal is over and the time for gas is extremely limited. It is time to start building the industrial solar plants in Australia that are being built in Europe and America, time to move to 100% renewable energy as fast as possible.

 

The Climate Change Commission’s report, The Critical Decade, outlined four  key messages;

 

  • ‘There is no doubt that the climate is changing. The evidence is overwhelmingly clear’.
  • We are already seeing the social, economic and environmental impacts of a changing climate.
  • Human activities – the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation – are triggering the changes we are witnessing in the global climate.
  • This is the critical decade. Decisions we make from now to 2020 will determine the severity of climate change our children and grandchildren experience.