Concerns Raised Over WA Climate Change Bill: Greenpeace

Greenpeace

The undersigned groups are concerned about the proposed WA Climate Change Bill and the lack of opportunity for adequate public consultation.

With the WA Govt set to determine its critical next steps on climate policy, we call on the WA Government to extend the consultation period, open it to the whole community, and release the draft wording of the Bill to ensure the process can be truly community-informed, fair and transparent.

We applaud the State Government for introducing important climate change legislation to contribute to national and global goals to meet our 1.5°C commitments.

This important piece of legislation shapes the emissions trajectory of the state and the whole economy as we begin to urgently decarbonise. It should bring WA into alignment with both the Federal Government and other states who have all already set emissions targets.

We are concerned that the Bill does not include a 2030 interim statewide target, unlike all other states and the Federal Government. With the interim targets remaining unlegislated, set at the discretion of the responsible Minister, and with no oversight by an independent expert climate change authority, the proposed legislation also lacks genuine accountability.

Given the importance of the Bill as a public interest matter of the highest importance, it demands an informed and transparent consultative process. We are supportive of the introduction of a Climate Change Bill and want to ensure it fits with community expectations on climate action and with global scientific consensus on emissions reductions.

However, only a restricted number of environmental groups have been invited to participate in the consultation process that has been open for only four weeks, closing tomorrow. Many community groups and members of the public are not even aware that the Bill is being consulted on.

Currently, much of the consultation process for the Bill and the associated Sectoral Emissions Reduction Strategies appears to be focussed on industry and business, while the process of consultation with the public and civil society appears rushed and tokenistic. It is not clear what, if any, consultation has been had with the scientific community.

We call for greater transparency and a fuller public consultation process that would permit scrutiny and provide this Bill with the social license that is required on such an important topic.

Signed by:

Conservation Council of WA

Greenpeace Australia Pacific

Environs Kimberley

Doctors for the Environment Australia

350 Australia

Perth Hills Climate Change Interest Group

The Beeliar Group of Professors for Environmental Responsibility

WA Climate Leaders

Australian Conservation Foundation

Perth Community Group

Climate Justice Union

Lock the Gate Alliance

The Wilderness Society

WA Citizens' Climate Lobby Australia

ARRCC – Australian Religious Response to Climate Change

Western Australian Council of Social Services

WA Green Urology Network

Climate Analytics

Climate Action Nurses

Nature Conservation Margaret River Region

Australian Youth Climate Coalition

WA Urban Bushland Council

Green Theatres Network Western Australia

Save Beeliar Wetlands

Cockburn Community Wildlife Corridor

West Australian Tree Canopy Advocates

Public Health Association of Australia

Sustainable Energy Now

/Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here.