The Climate Council has identified twelve of Australia’s largest fossil fuel polluters, which have been dubbed the “dirty dozen.” These companies have emitted 287 million tonnes of dangerous, climate-warming pollution in the last six years, equivalent to half of Saudi Arabia’s total emissions in 2020. The Climate Council’s head of advocacy, Jennifer Rayner, has said that these companies have a “free pass to pollute” while other businesses in Australia are working hard to reduce their emissions.
The Labor government’s climate action plan has come under fire, as it allows big polluters to purchase an infinite amount of carbon credits to offset their emissions. Director of independent think tank Climate Energy Finance, Tim Buckley, has said that it is crucial to name and shame the laggards that are driving Australia’s industrial pollution in order to increase pressure on them to act. The Business Council of Australia has welcomed the updates to the Safeguard Mechanism, which it says is a “crucial tool in Australia’s ability to accelerate the decarbonisation of the economy while remaining internationally competitive”.
Overall, the Climate Council’s analysis has highlighted the need for Australia’s twelve largest fossil fuel polluters to reduce their emissions in order for the country to meet its emissions reduction targets. The Labor government’s climate policy has come under criticism, but the Business Council of Australia has cautiously welcomed it, citing the need to remain internationally competitive while reducing emissions. It is clear that this is a complex issue, and there is still work to be done in order to ensure that Australia’s emissions are reduced in a way that is fair and equitable.
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