The Greens have secured support across the Legislative Assembly to ensure the next climate change strategy is fit-for-purpose, and to increase funding in the next budget for environment groups in the territory.
On Tuesday afternoon the Greens also won support to ensure that Canberrans who would struggle to afford the shift to renewable energy will not be left behind, making this a leading priority in the territory’s ongoing transition to clean power.
Leader of the ACT Greens, Shane Rattenbury:
“Over the past year, Labor has dragged its feet on delivering a credible strategy to cut emissions in the territory. Thanks to the Greens, we now have the clearest picture yet of what the next climate strategy will actually include, and it sets a much higher bar.
“But Labor saying they’ll do it is one thing, delivering on promises is another entirely, and Canberra deserves action, not just words.
“The ball is now firmly in Labor’s court.
“The Greens have given them a nudge, and secured agreement that supporting environmental groups and helping Canberrans who can least afford the transition will be considered in the next budget and climate strategy.
“We want them to listen to what the community has been asking for and consider their duty of care to future generations, and their enabling of fossil fuel companies to quietly buy social licence with sponsorships and advertising.
“The Greens have now set the bar Labor has to reach to show if they’re serious about real climate action. Canberrans are counting on us to push for a clean, fair future, and the Greens are not backing down.
“The motion that passed today also emphasises the need for Labor to make sure the next phase of climate action is not a challenge for individuals alone.
“Governments and industry need to fix big systems to make it easy for our community to cut emissions and live a good life amid climate change impacts.
“That means tackling one of our biggest sources of emissions – transport – by accelerating the shift away from petrol cars, expanding electric vehicle charging, and making it easier for people to get around by public transport, walking and cycling.
“It also means planning properly for the phase-out of fossil fuel gas, investing in climate adaptation and disaster readiness, and being honest about the ACT’s broader climate footprint, including all the indirect causes of polluting greenhouse gas emissions.”