Media Release
20 December 2009
CITIES PLEDGE TO GET THE JOB DONE ON EMISSIONS
Australia’s capital cities are firmly committed to take action to achieve emissions reduction
targets to limit to two degrees the maximum rise in global average temperatures agreed in
Copenhagen.
The Chair of the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors and Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover
Moore MP, said the failure of world leaders to reach agreement on binding new abatement
targets was “extremely disappointing and one that flies in the face of the overwhelming
scientific evidence produced by the UN IPCC. ”
“Governments needed to set bold targets in the upper end of the IPCC recommended range
of 25-40 per cent by 2020 to manage the impact of climate change, and as cities around the
world account for some 80 per cent of emissions, engagement with cities is pivotal to
practical steps to ensure a future for the planet,” said Ms Moore.
“With or without binding national targets cities will continue to lead the way in making the
necessary changes to significantly reduce emissions on the scale needed and transition to a
new low carbon economy.
“As was officially acknowledged in Copenhagen, the battle against climate change will be
won or lost in cities. Cities are a critical part of the solution to global warming and we will
continue to take the lead and urge governments, State and Federal, to take bold action and
work with us to get the job done, from now until 2020 and beyond.
We now need to develop a coordinated, national response to climate change which
recognises the role of cities as the delivery mechanism for implementing practical steps, and
linking national targets with local action.
“While citizens will be disappointed with the final outcome in Copenhagen, they can be
assured that the nation’s eight capital cities are already undertaking a range of actions, in
collaboration with other parties, that collectively will lower greenhouse gas emissions by 57
million tonnes over the next 10 years.
“These actions are about changing how we work and live and how we get around. The
initiatives involve low-carbon energy, transport improvements, greater use of renewables,
making office buildings more efficient and the ‘greening’ of city properties.”
Ms Moore said 65 per cent of Australians live in cities and so it made sense for cities, with
the support of the Federal Government, to lead the fight against global warming.
“The truth is, the economic and environmental costs of not building new transport
infrastructure, for example, far outweigh the cost of financing these projects,” she said.
“Promoting a shift to public transport, cycling and walking as an alternative to using private
motor vehicles is necessary to reduce both congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.
Many people in Australia’s capital cities have little practical alternatives to relying on their
cars, and this must change.
“In Sydney alone around one million people come into our area every day to work, shop,
play, study or see the sights. The Bureau of Transport Economics has estimated that, under
a do-nothing scenario, the cost of congestion in Sydney would rise from about $3.6 billion
per annum in 2005 to $8 billion per annum in 2020.
“While cities are doing what they can, and national governments can learn from these
actions, to achieve the significant reductions required it is critical government, business and
the community work together.”
Ms Moore said under a do-nothing scenario Australian capital cities will produce more than
140 million tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2020.
Stationary energy accounts for around 80 per cent of urban emissions because coal-fired
power loses around 66 per cent of its energy in the form of heat, and further energy during
generation and transmission from distant power stations.
“Cities agree they must move away from fossil fuel consumption and encourage sustainable
modes of transport including electric cars, public transport, cycling and walking.
“Australia is experiencing severe fires, floods and storms. The devastation is widespread
and impacts on thousands of people, changing many lives. Scientists predicted these
events, and expect their frequency and severity to increase,” Ms Moore added.
“For developing nations, impacts are catastrophic, with sea level rises potentially washing
away entire communities, creating climate change refugees. Climate change is not a
peripheral issue that can be addressed through piecemeal rebates and incentives,
particularly when we continue to expand dirty, inefficient coal-fired power.
“It is the greatest challenge of our time and requires us to make many changes, including to
our economy. I've been inspired to see the action taken by Nordic countries to actively
promote and develop green business opportunities and become world leaders in the
renewable energy industry.
“They've demonstrated that significant action to lower emissions can actually drive economic
growth and this is the approach we need to take in Australia."
Media contact: Graham Cassidy, Cato Counsel, 0419 202317, or Deborah Wilkinson, CCCLM,
62 85 1672
The CCCLM comprises:
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Rt Hon Lord Mayor of Adelaide, Michael Harbison
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Rt Hon Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Cr Campbell Newman
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Mr Jon Stanhope, MLA, ACT Chief Minister and Minister for Territory and Municipal
Services
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Rt Hon Graeme Sawyer, Lord Mayor of Darwin
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Rt Hon Lord Mayor of Hobart, Alderman Rob Valentine
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Rt Hon Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Robert Doyle
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Rt Hon Lord Mayor of Perth, Lisa Scaffidi
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Rt Hon Clover Moore MP, Lord Mayor of Sydney
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