Australian government commits AU$60 million to cut greenhouse emissions
{{date|November 1, 2006}}

In response to the [[w:Stern Review|Stern Report]], [[w:Australia|Australia's]] [[w:Prime Minister of Australia|Prime Minister]] [[w:John Howard|John Howard]] announced [[w:AU$|AU$]]60 million to fight climate change, on 42 projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The projects are part of the [[w:AP6|Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate]]. 

"The Asia-Pacific Partnership includes countries that represent about half of the world's emissions, energy use, GDP (gross domestic product) and population, and is an important initiative that engages, for the first time, the key greenhouse-gas emitting countries in the Asia-Pacific region," Mr Howard said in a statement.

Howard told the audience at the [[w:Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation|CSIRO's Ensis]], a research and development organisation for the [[w:forestry|forestry]] industry, the government was taking practical steps to lower greenhouse gas emissions and symbolism would not clean up the air.

"Symbolism will not reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Practical methods will and that is what I'm interested in...The thing that matters is doing things" he said.

More than half the money is going to projects to develop clean coal technology, including $8 million for a mobile carbon catcher for coal-fired power stations. 

$17.5 million will be spent on [[w:renewable energy|renewable energy]] projects, including high efficiency [[w:solar power|solar power]] stations and solar-enhanced transport fuels. 

$11 million will be spent on [[w:coal mining|coal mining]]. $6 million will be spent on improving energy efficiency of appliances and buildings, and AU$2.5 million will be used to help the [[w:aluminium|aluminium industry]] reduce emissions.

Howard dismissed as "pure speculation" the Stern Report's more alarmist projections. 

"Talk about hot air. There's an enormous amount of hot air on this issue," Howard says "what we need are measures which actually achieve results." and that his announcement will achieve results.

==Related news==
*{{wikinews|title=Brown promises Britain will lead world in fight against climate change|date=October 30, 2006}}
*{{wikinews|title=Reactions to review of economic implications of climate change|date=October 30, 2006}}

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,20682039-5005941,00.html|title=$60m to help cut emissions|author=|pub=The Daily Telegraph|date= November 1, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://news.google.co.nz/news/url?sa=t&ct=nz/0-1&fp=4548d712aaa1fb91&ei=OndIRZKPHKaIoAKVmoDcDA&url=http%3A//www.theage.com.au/news/National/Govt-spends-60m-to-cut-greenhouse-gases/2006/11/01/1162278173486.html&cid=1110775584|title=Govt spends $60m to cut greenhouse gases|author=|pub=The Age|date=November 1, 2006}}

{{publish}}
{{Archived}}
[[Category:Oceania]]
[[Category:Australia]]
[[Category:Disasters and accidents]]
[[Category:Environment]]
[[Category:Science and technology]]
[[Category:Economy and business]]
In response to the Stern Report, Australia's Prime Minister John Howard announced AU$60 million to fight climate change, on 42 projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The projects are part of the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate. 

"The Asia-Pacific Partnership includes countries that represent about half of the world's emissions, energy use, GDP (gross domestic product) and population, and is an important initiative that engages, for the first time, the key greenhouse-gas emitting countries in the Asia-Pacific region," Mr Howard said in a statement.

Howard told the audience at the CSIRO's Ensis, a research and development organisation for the forestry industry, the government was taking practical steps to lower greenhouse gas emissions and symbolism would not clean up the air.

"Symbolism will not reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Practical methods will and that is what I'm interested in...The thing that matters is doing things" he said.

More than half the money is going to projects to develop clean coal technology, including $8 million for a mobile carbon catcher for coal-fired power stations. 

$17.5 million will be spent on renewable energy projects, including high efficiency solar power stations and solar-enhanced transport fuels. 

$11 million will be spent on coal mining. $6 million will be spent on improving energy efficiency of appliances and buildings, and AU$2.5 million will be used to help the aluminium industry reduce emissions.

Howard dismissed as "pure speculation" the Stern Report's more alarmist projections. 

"Talk about hot air. There's an enormous amount of hot air on this issue," Howard says "what we need are measures which actually achieve results." and that his announcement will achieve results.
Oceania Australia Disasters and accidents Environment Science and technology Economy and business