A new report by the Productivity Commission has emphasised how important protecting nature and cutting climate pollution are to productivity.
The report, released today, says 'Productivity growth is supported not only by fast approvals, but also by effective laws to protect the environment' and 'reducing emissions from greenhouse gases is an important national priority.'
The Australian Conservation Foundation's national biodiversity policy adviser Brendan Sydes said: "The national environment law's uncertain and unpredictable assessment and decision-making processes fail to protect nature or support needed investment in renewable energy.
"The Albanese government has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to re-shape the law to tackle Australia's climate and nature crises.
"Australia needs to accelerate the rollout of renewable energy but this cannot be done by weakening nature protection."
The Productivity Commission said 'The EPBC Act is largely agnostic about the type of project under consideration… A carpark and a solar farm that would have the same effect are therefore treated in much the same way.' The commission recommended the positive contribution of renewable energy infrastructure development be considered in assessments.
"The Albanese government should embed climate considerations in the national nature law. The harm caused by new fossil fuel projects must be part of that," Mr Sydes said.
"The Productivity Commission backs the Samuel Review's recommendation that legally enforceable national environmental standards be introduced into the national nature law.
"This parliament has the chance to get the policy settings right for a transition that tackles Australia's interconnected climate and nature crises.
"Clear rules and good decisions are urgently needed to set us up to protect nature and transition to a clean energy future."
ACF's national climate policy adviser Annika Reynolds (they/them) said: "ACF supports the call for broad-based mechanisms that reflect cost-effective pathways to cut emissions.
"The increased extreme weather that is already a feature of Australian life in the 2020s will continue to be a drag on productivity unless we dramatically cut our climate pollution.
"We know the comprehensive rollout of renewable energy is important to reduce emissions from the electricity sector and comes with efficiency benefits.
"ACF welcomes the Productivity Commission's recognition that more can be done in the heavy vehicle sector to cut emissions and drive important efficiency and health co-benefits.
"Governments need to stay the course on the transition and provide clear market signals to support cost-effective climate action.
"A strong science based 2035 emissions reduction target must be the first step in that process, keeping Australians safer from the impacts of climate change and maintaining the drivers of investment in the clean energy tech and manufacturing industries to transition our domestic economy and exports."
A joint report by ACF and WWF-Australia released in April shows how the renewable energy rollout can proceed in harmony with nature.
