THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT’S failure to fund a clean recovery from COVID-19 is a national shame and a lost opportunity to create jobs, the Climate Council said ahead of the Federal Budget.
Data from the Global Recovery Observatory shows that Australia has spent US$130 billion on COVID recovery efforts but less than two percent of that money has been spent on solutions to reduce emissions.
In contrast, Germany and France allocated 47% and 50% of their respective recovery spending to clean solutions.
“Among major economies and our strategic allies, Australia is right at the bottom of the pack when it comes to spending on solutions that reduce emissions, create jobs and strengthen our economy,” said Climate Council spokesperson and economist Nicki Hutley.
“The Federal Government continues to throw taxpayers’ money at polluting industries of the past like gas which provides very few jobs. It should be focused on creating good, clean jobs in renewables,” she said.
Pre-budget announcements include $58.6 million for gas expansion, and support for carbon capture and storage and hydrogen from fossil fuels as part of a $540 million package.
“The consequences of Australia’s climate inaction are catching up with us, as the EU and USA contemplate carbon border adjustment taxes that could see expensive tariffs slapped on many Australian exports,” said Ms Hutley.
The Climate Council’s Clean Jobs Plan outlines how we can create 76,000 jobs in the short term while setting Australia up for the future and tackling long-term problems like climate change.
For interviews please contact Vai Shah on 0452 290 082 or Lisa Upton on 0438 972 260.
The Climate Council is Australia’s leading community-funded climate change communications organisation. We provide authoritative, expert and evidence-based advice on climate change to journalists, policymakers, and the wider Australian community.
For further information, go to: climatecouncil.org.au
Or follow us on social media: facebook.com/climatecouncil and twitter.com/climatecouncil