“Emission reductions of at least 30 per cent by 2020 – the sort of cuts the scientists are saying we need to avoid dangerous climate change – are achievable and affordable,” said ACF’s climate change program manager Tony Mohr.“The cost per person is about the same as the cost of one local phone call per day – a small price for saving the Great Barrier Reef, our water supplies and the agricultural sector.”
The results are consistent with those of the Australian Business Roundtable on Climate Change which found deep cuts could be achieved by 2050 “while maintaining strong economic growth”.
“The 2002-03 drought cost Australia $10 billion. The total cost of a 30 per cent cut in emissions by 2020 is less than a third of this at $2.9 billion,” Mr Mohr said. “If we fail to reduce emissions, the CSIRO says by 2030 Australia will experience drought 20 per cent more often than we do now.
“Not only are these cuts achievable and affordable, they are in Australia’s national interest.”
The McKinsey report found Australia could cut emissions by 60 per cent by 2030 – a full 20 years ahead of the Federal Government’s commitment to 60 per cent reductions by 2050.
The report also found Australia’s opportunities to reduce emissions are better than the global average and that we can do it “without major technological breakthroughs”.
“Cutting emissions by 30 per cent by 2020 can be done without using technologies that are yet to be proven or resorting to drastic, risky options like nuclear,” Mr Mohr said.
