Australia’s emissions hidden, as climate standoff continues

22.06.17 By
This content is more than 6 years old

The Climate Council is calling for the backlog of Australia’s emissions data to be urgently released, with the Federal Government failing to provide the nation’s quarterly data for over 6 months.

Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie labelled the consistently delayed reporting of emissions data – the quarterly update of Australia’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory – from the Department of Environment and Energy as a disgrace.

“At a time when Australia’s pollution continues to rise, we are faced with what can only be described as climate censorship. The Federal Government has consistently withheld vital emissions data. The question needs to be asked: why?” she said.

“The reporting of Australia’s rising emissions has been buried on a number of previous occasions, with data consistently delayed or released during major events, including on Christmas Eve.”

“It certainly seems like a cynical attempt to avoid scrutiny.”

The Federal Government has failed to release any quarterly reports for six months, with data in December last showing Australia’s emissions had risen by 0.8% over a 12 month period.

Two emissions updates are currently missing from public release: September 2016 and December 2016.

“Rising pollution is clear evidence that Australia’s climate policy isn’t working. Already in 2017, we’ve seen the second mass coral bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef, as well as record-breaking summer heat and rainfall across the nation.

“The only way the public can keep the government accountable on climate progress is if they have transparent processes for releasing emissions data. The national policy debate on climate and energy policy is happening without recent data on Australia’s pollution.”

McKenzie said the withholding of data comes as the political gridlock surrounding Australia’s lack of climate and energy policy to tackle climate change continues.

“Australia’s pollution is rising. We know the most affordable, clean and efficient option is renewable energy and storage technology.

“Our emissions data may not be on time, but we know that this is our moment to act to secure Australia’s power for a low-emissions future.”

For more information please contact Media Advisor Alexia Boland on 0430511068.