Date: 2009-12-17
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Queensland has reaffirmed its commitment to urgent global action on climate change at a major gathering of the world’s state and territory leaders in Copenhagen.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Queensland has reaffirmed its commitment to urgent global action on climate change at a major gathering of the world’s state and territory leaders in Copenhagen.
Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones signed ‘the Montréal Declaration’ overnight at the Climate Leaders Summit which saw regional and business leaders from around the world engaged in discussions on state government action on climate change.
Ms Jones, as the official Queensland representative, addressed the Summit which saw other speakers including the California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, Prince Albert II of Monaco, and New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg.
She said the agreement between state and territory leaders put on the international public record Queensland’s resolve to fight climate change through initiatives that build a sustainable economy while reducing harmful greenhouse gases.
“The United Nations estimates states and territories will be responsible for implementing up to 80 per cent of the actions required to reduce emissions under a new global agreement,” Ms Jones said.
“Queensland has been working closely with the Australian states on climate change through COAG and Council of Australian Federation - now we’re working with international states and territories to make a global difference.”
The text to the Montréal Declaration was negotiated during the inaugural Climate Leaders Summit in 2005, which was held to coincide with the 11th Conference of the Parties (CoP11) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Montréal. Since then, more than 30 regional governments from around the world, including the United States, Canada, South Africa, Europe and the United Kingdom have signed the declaration.
Like the Montréal event, the Copenhagen Climate Leaders Summit will coincide with a Conference of the Parties - CoP15 - which is hoped will deliver major progress towards a new global agreement on climate change.
Ms Jones said the timing of Queensland’s signing of the Montréal Declaration was important given the ongoing UN negotiations in Copenhagen.
“Queensland’s position as the Australian state most vulnerable to unmitigated climate change means we have a particularly strong interest in a global agreement being reached,” she said.
“By signing the Montréal Declaration, we’re send a strong message to those negotiating that regional and business leaders are ready to deliver the concrete actions needed to achieve the commitments set out in a new agreement.”
The Climate Leaders Summit in Copenhagen brought together Premiers, Governors, Ministers, Mayors and CEOs of some of the world’s largest companies. The Climate Leaders Summit is being held by The Climate Group, an internationally-renowned not-for-profit organisation.
It is the culmination of a series of events The Climate Group has coordinated around the world to build momentum towards a global agreement, including Queensland’s own major climate summit which was attended by more than 100 high-level delegates at Queensland Parliament House on 4 November.
Ms Jones is attending Copenhagen as a member of the official Australian delegation. She is addressing a number of forums and attending several engagements as the Queensland representative.
Queensland brings a strong record of achievement in taking action to reduce the state’s emissions, including:
An end to broadscale clearing of remnant vegetation and new laws to protect high value regrowth;
Queensland Gas Scheme requiring retailers to source at least 18% of electricity from gas;
$196 million ClimateQ strategy;
Queensland Renewable Energy Plan;
SmartEnergy Savings Fund requiring large businesses to undertake energy audits and prepare energy efficiency plans; and
$900 million investment in carbon capture and storage demonstration projects.
16 December, 2009
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