WWF-UK’s Post

Withdrawing from Paris would put us in the fine company of Yemen, Libya and Iran, the only three nations on earth that have not signed the Paris climate treaty.   Five eminent people around climate provide comment here on the LNP's dissapointing proposal to exit the Paris agreement and prop up coal into the 2040's and beyond. Our 43% target is already inadequate, but at least it provides policy certainty for business. At least labor’s target was close to double that of the coalition. If you want to go somewhere you need a map. However, the climate Council calculated in their “Aim high, Go fast” report of 2021 that Australia required a 74% reduction in emissions by 2030 to meet our commitment to 1.5 degrees. https://lnkd.in/gzYkC-5 With the earths remining 1.5degree carbon budget sitting now at only 250Gt, even 74% in inadequately small. However, I’m struggling to understand what the LNP’s election strategy is here. It reflects the disinformation noise making campaign along the lines of the voice, "If you don’t know" approach. Nuclear power plants, renewables destroying the economy, we will pull out of Paris and no policy details unless you elect me?? Really? It doesn’t make political sense for their stated desire to win back the blue-ribbon seats lost to the Teal candidates in the last election. Climate 200’s executive director, Byron Fay said. “Last weekend, we saw a 20-fold bump in donations and the pace hasn’t let up” It doesn’t make financial sense. Switching to renewables will not destroy the economy. Particularly when compared to the cost of nuclear power. Remembering that the LNP are the economic masters that lumbered us with one of the most irresponsible financial decisions ever to spend $380 billion on nuclear submarines, and in nine short years they left with Australia with nearly a Trillion dollars in debt, from a starting point of about $100M. And yet there is a huge pipeline of clean investment on the way that they would be prepared to throw away. Renew economy reported in 2022 of a pipeline of $850billion in clean energy projects. https://lnkd.in/g-f9pQXZ The only thing I can see is that it is political noise to distract with a non-policy. Perhaps it is because sowing doubt and confusion is far easier than actually proving anything or having a concrete policy. #Climatechange #auspol https://lnkd.in/gvXCQQVK

As noted four years ago in the previous report card, the #US military consumes 80% of all of the energy that the #federalgovernment uses annually. It’s likely the single biggest consumer of fossil fuels on the planet. One of Obama’s biggest climate wins was bringing 230,000 troops back from overseas deployments as he ended the severely misguided invasion of Iraq and significantly reduced USA’s presence in #Afghanistan in preparation for full withdrawal. All else has paled by comparison. Obama also brought the #USA into the #ParisAgreement, which had the notable feature of making military emissions recording and publication voluntary, unlike #Kyoto, which explicitly excluded them. The voluntary nature of the reporting didn’t stop US #Republicans from opposing the entire Paris Agreement on the grounds of military emissions. Trump took the USA out of the Agreement immediately upon taking office, so no debate on voluntary reporting to align with those provisions even entered agendas. Biden brought the USA back into the Agreement, and so the provisions regarding optional military emissions reporting came back into play. US military emissions from 2008 to 20201 by US DoD. In April of 2023, the Department of Defense (#DoD) did report on emissions. In FY 2021, the Department of Defense (DoD) reported a total of 51 million metric tons of #carbondioxide equivalent (MMTCO2e) emissions from #Scope1 and #Scope2 sources. Of this, 63% (32 MMTCO2e) came from operational sources, primarily due to #jetfuel combustion, which alone accounted for 50% of the total emissions. The remaining 37% (19 MMTCO2e) originated from installations, with purchased electricity contributing 60% of these emissions, followed by fuel combustion in buildings (28%) and in non-tactical vehicles and equipment (7%). The DoD’s emissions represented 76% of total federal government emissions and 1% of the #UnitedStates’ total emissions in 2020, highlighting the significant environmental impact of military operations and infrastructure. For context, the 501 million tons of CO2e makes the US military a higher emitter by itself than a full three quarters of the countries in the world. The Biden–Harris administration has embarked on an ambitious campaign to drastically cut the U.S. military’s carbon emissions as part of its broader climate strategy. Central to this plan is the #transition to #netzero emissions by 2050, with an interim target of reducing #greenhousegasemissions by 65% by 2030. The Department of Defense (DoD) is set to shift to 100% #zeroemission vehicle acquisitions by 2035, starting with light-duty vehicles by 2027, and will use carbon #pollution-free electricity by 2035. Additionally, all military buildings are expected to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045, involving significant upgrades to #energyefficiency and waste reduction measures.

Anyone know the half-life of the nuclear argument? Australia is a sleeping renewable powerhouse, and the so-called debate around nuclear appears counterproductive. The Climate Council estimate it would take 10 years to build a nuclear power station in Australia (there are currently zero, we just export the uranium at the moment). In that same time, the Capacity Investment Scheme could grow our use of renewables from ~30% to ~80%. While nuclear can provide a reliable baseload, it also produces waste that remains dangerous for about ten thousand years, creating the potential for significant unintended consequences (sound familiar...?)

Nasa scientist Peter Kalmus "This climate emergency is coming even faster than I thought, than much of the science community thought" What is the single most important thing to do? A complete moratorium on new fossil fuel projects. Logical right? Well you would think though, but remember that as states gather for COP28 in the next week, this is exactly what will NOT be done. From the UK licensing hundreds of new Oil fields, to the United States pushing fracking through strong local resistance to the Swiss government looking the other way as our banks and insurance companies making billions in this trade. This needs to stop now! But too many powerful people (mostly white men) are making too much money from this to get them to stop. That is why Civil Resistance is vital that is why we must act now. These government are endangering our future. Whilst they continue to do so it is our right as citizens to withdraw our consent to acting as normal members of society. It is democratic right to non-violent protest of this inaction by disrupting traffic. It is our right to not pay tax to corporate landlords (UBS and Swiss Life are Switzerland biggest property holders and landlords) It is our to refuse to work or comply with government, its institutions and representatives. Until they act in our interest, as their citizens. https://lnkd.in/etKExU7i

🌍 The EU's first climate report card is out, providing critical insights into the present state of our climate action. The report underscores the urgent need for progress in agriculture, energy efficiency and the contentious issue of nuclear energy's role in the EU Green Deal. While the report charts a path for us to intensify our efforts in these critical sectors, it also serves as a reminder that our approach must be multifaceted. As we commit to meaningful change, it's imperative that we advance toward our environmental goals without compromising 📈 economic competitiveness, job security and the integrity of circular economy systems. Let’s navigate these challenges together, transforming insights into integrated, forward-thinking strategies built on sober, fact-based scientific analysis. You can read the POLITICO Europe article here: https://lnkd.in/dCc2ZXca #ClimateAction #EUClimateReport #SustainableGrowth #EconomicResilience #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #EUgrowth #EUgreendeal

Some perspective: $700M Shohei Ohtani's LA Dodgers contract $700M Climate Loss & Damage fund pledges at COP28 and food for thought from recent report by Common Wealth: $111B Estimated social cost of carbon emissions from U.S. & U.K. militaries since 2015 Paris Accord $840B Annual U.S. Dept. of Defense (DoD) appropriation $44B Proposed (in report) annual grants from U.S. DoD to countries most impacted by #climatecrisis Perhaps wealthy and powerful nations can do more. https://lnkd.in/g2CUGiuz

In his #COP28 address, John Kerry, the United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, outlined critical progress on climate commitments—a testament to collective action amid the urgency. Major developments: 🌡️155 countries pledged 30% methane cuts by 2030, equal to shifting all transport to zero emissions. ☀️120+ countries committed to triple renewable energy and double efficiency by 2030. 20 nations pledged to triple nuclear power. 💰US climate finance to surpass $9.5 billion in 2023, nearing 2024 goals. Reforms in institutions like the World Bank enable increases too. 🤝Google, Apple, Microsoft and other majors signalled demand for green products and services, underscoring economic incentives to invest in sustainability. The historic accords reflect growing momentum. But Kerry acknowledged the steep road ahead to equitable, resilient futures. Transitioning whole economies requires unprecedented collaboration across the public and private sectors. #leadersonpurpose #climatechange #climateaction #globalwarming

It is times like these we need 💪 courage, bravery and leadership? Stating the obvious right?  👏  It gives us hope to see Federal Liberal MP Bridget Archer speak out labelling the Coalition’s revelation to dump the current target of reducing emissions by 43 per cent by 2030 a ‘regressive step’. It is critical that we achieve bi-partisan support to secure the ambitious climate action needed this decade.   👩👧 👨👩👦👦 👨👨👦  As we contemplate the next steps for our organisation leading into the next federal election, we know for certain public will and sentiment for turbo-charging climate action needs to remain loud and strong to encourage all parties to increase their ambition to secure a safe climate for our kids. Our kids deserve it! #climateactionnow #renewableenergy #safeclimate https://lnkd.in/gtKXR_fY

Peter Dutton has full knowledge of the relationship between the impact of climate change, the economy and the fact that rapid action must be taken before 2030 by all countries to avoid the worst case scenarios that are now in play. Under Peter Dutton’s leadership, the Coalition’s strategy is clear. Secure the position of incumbent power holders at any cost. This is achieved by deliberately accelerating economic growth with only token investment in anything that might disrupt the incumbent players, in full knowledge that escalating natural disasters , death and social implosion will occur . The powerful few then step in to enforce martial law in the name of protection to “ save the day”. Every person and every community has agency , the solutions are available now and the world still has the ability to retain the democracy and a hopeful future so many generations fought so hard to secure . Let’s get on with it . Speak up Educate yourself by reading broadly and asking questions Fuel optimism by seeking out the exceptional work being done across the world to unite not divide communities and demonstrate better ways to live, work and thrive Join a movement in your community Vote like your life and your family’s dependent on it .. because they do!

This general election is vital for setting out how the UK plans to act on climate change and rising global militarism. In this article, leading SGR figures share critical policy recommendations on climate change, energy, security, and AI. 👇