Some good things have happened: Swiss Re and Munich Re will not participate in a proposed Australian coal industry insurance mutual; The NSW Court of Appeal has upheld the decision to refuse the Bylong Coal Project; Business Council of Australia now supports a 50% cut of emissions by 2030; NSW government will rate new developments on how much embodied carbon – the emissions created from the extraction, production and transport of building materials – they contain.
WHAT’S ON
COP26 Global day of action to be held on Saturday 6 November at 11.45am starting at Hyde Park fountain. Covid safe rules apply – fully vaccinated, sign in, wear mask. Bring signs and your walking shoes.
Voices for Bennelong is holding an online meeting on Sunday 7 November at 7pm. This is one of the many groups around the country looking for independent candidates who are concerned about climate change and government accountability. To book go to https://m.facebook.com/events/409392624235408?view=permalink&id=409392630902074&sfnsn=mo
Australian Parents for Climate Change is holding an online meeting on 7 November at 4pm for new and existing members (now over 15,000) to know more about what parents can do about lobbying for climate change. For bookings go to https://www.ap4ca.org/welcome_to_australian_parents_for_climate_action_nov_21
Are you a Commonwealth bank customer? You can lodge a question about their lending practices for fossil fuels which will be asked at a Customer online forum on 9 November. For information and to register go to https://www.marketforces.org.au/commbank-ceo-customer-forum-2021/
350.org and Greg Mullins (former commissioner of fire and rescue whose calls for action on climate change were ignored by Scott Morrison) are asking we contact the four big banks over the next two weeks and ask them to stop funding fossil fuel projects. Be sure to tag @nab @commonwealthbank @ANZAustralia @Westpac in your post so they get your message.Share on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Forum for Ryde Council candidates will be held on 20 November at the Environment Education Centre, Field of Mars, East Ryde at 3pm where you have the opportunity to ask candidates their views on climate change. Covid safety rules will be observed – attendees to be fully vaccinated, sign in and wear mask. Afternoon tea will be served following the event.
Raffle for Nissan Leaf 1 Million Women group is raffling a Nissan Leaf to be drawn 23 December. For details and tickets go to https://www.raffletix.com.au/1millionwomenraffle
WHAT WE’VE BEEN DOING
Wrote to John Alexander asking he not support the National’s proposed $250billion for fossil fuels.
Wrote to John Alexander informing him of polling that says majority of constituents are concerned about climate change.
Wrote a submission on Kosciuszko Feral Horse Plan.
Wrote to NAB asking they not fund Santos’ Narrabri gas project.
Wrote to NY Mellon asking they not fund Adani’s mine, railway and port
Wrote to Sussan Ley supporting a Marine Plastic Treaty
Wrote to Deutsche Bank asking they not finance Whitehaven Coal
NEWS AND EVENTS
COP 26 who are the big players? https://theconversation.com/whos-who-in-glasgow-5-countries-that-could-make-or-break-the-planets-future-under-climate-change-170090
Angus Taylor attended the COP26 conference to promote Australia as a “safe and reliable destination to invest in gas, hydrogen and new energy technologies”
Deforestation 100 countries (including Australia) have committed to ending deforestation by 2030. All well and good but regulatory change is required. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-01/100-nations-pledge-to-end-deforestation-backed-by-19-billion Scott Morrison has told farmers there would be no mandates issued to enforce his net zero emissions plan. One quarter of Australia’s carbon emissions comes from land clearing. https://www.youngwitness.com.au/story/7495086/australia-reacts-to-deforestation-pledge/
Australia refused to sign a pledge (along with India, Russia and China) to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030 citing the potential impact on the beef industry, coalmining and LNG production. One hundred other countries did sign. https://www.climatechangenews.com/2021/11/02/100-countries-join-methane-pledge-china-india-australia-russia-stay/
Methane is a greenhouse gas 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide, and accounts for about half of the 1.1ºC net rise in global average temperature since the pre-industrial era https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/more-countries-join-global-pledge-to-cut-methane-emissions/ which is why it’s vital to reduce it. https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/new-global-methane-pledge-aims-tackle-climate-change
The recent G20 summit held in Rome just before COP26 removed references to a firm net zero deadline of 2050, a move spearheaded by the Australian government.
Australia helped torpedo plans to phase out coal power in advanced economies by 2030 and in other nations by 2040, and led opposition to a 2030 methane emissions pledge https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/g20-fails-to-agree-on-climate-change-goals-20211101-p594sv.html
Scott Morrison used his final remarks at the summit to argue against “abolition” of fossil fuels, and to declare that climate finance must focus on adaptation and “empowerment”, not just on emissions reduction https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/oct/31/scott-morrison-to-use-final-g20-remarks-to-defend-climate-policy-ahead-of-cop26
Mathias Cormann, the general secretary of OECD and former Australian finance minister who was instrumental in abolishing the carbon price, is now urging Australia to implement one https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/oct/28/former-finance-minister-who-helped-sink-carbon-price-now-urging-australia-to-adopt-one
Federal government. Australia is last out of 54 countries on its strategy to deal with climate change. Here’s why:
There’s a plan – but it’s a joke with no new policies,laws or mandates to reduce emissions and relies on unspecified technology breakthroughs some time in the future https://reneweconomy.com.au/a-joke-morrisons-net-zero-plan-has-net-zero-detail-and-no-change-to-policies/
It has been labelled the weakest plan in the G20 group. https://edition.cnn.com/2021/10/25/australia/australia-climate-net-zero-intl/index.html
No details of the plan are forthcoming except that fossil fuel mining will continue. Department officials in Canberra have told a senate estimates hearing that the modelling underpinning the net zero plan isn’t yet complete https://reneweconomy.com.au/morrison-government-hasnt-finished-writing-net-zero-modelling-department-says/
Advertising the government is spending almost $13million on an advertising campaign highlighting its climate accomplishments – now showing on TV. Emission reductions have come from what states have done and not from any federal policies or action. https://reneweconomy.com.au/scotty-from-marketing-splurges-12-9m-advertising-climate-policies/
Barnaby Joyce claimed he secured the exclusion of “scope 3 emissions” from Australia’s climate target, which accounts for emissions when Australia’s fossil fuels are burned overseas https://www.sbs.com.au/news/barnaby-joyce-details-some-conditions-attached-to-nationals-climate-deal/fe73668f-5b62-4008-bccc-75ec13a47b11
The Nats want $250b for fossil fuels. Sign the letter asking your federal MP to reject this ridiculous proposal. https://fossilfuelwatch.good.do/nogasbailouts/no-money-for-gas/
Australia one of the countries asking the UN to play down the need to move rapidly away from fossil fuels. Australia sought to remove references to coal lobbyists and recommendations to close coal plants.https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-58982445
Here’s a detailed analysis of government’s efforts to make it look as though it’s doing something https://timinclimate.medium.com/what-to-expect-while-youre-expecting-the-federal-government-to-shift-on-climate-any-day-now-ff7c831d67bb
Meeting with Matt Kean Wilderness Society has managed to secure a meeting with the minister to voice concerns about proposed coal mines bordering the Wollemi National Park but needs us to write to him They’ve provided a form letter to make it easy. https://wilderness.good.do/StopNewCoal/emailkean/
Cutting our emissions – here’s how it can be done
Tougher car emissions regulations could make a substantial impact on our carbon emissions https://theconversation.com/tough-car-emissions-ceilings-could-get-us-well-on-the-road-to-net-zero-170446
How to reach net zero https://theconversation.com/5-reasons-why-the-morrison-government-needs-a-net-zero-target-not-a-flimsy-plan-169015
Easy ways to reduce our carbon emissions https://theconversation.com/barnaby-joyce-has-refused-to-support-doubling-australias-2030-emissions-reduction-targets-but-we-could-get-there-so-cheaply-and-easily-169932
Electrify everything could reduce carbon emissions and save money for households https://www.sustainabilitymatters.net.au/content/energy/news/electrification-would-reduce-australia-s-energy-bills-report-775419870
Raising Warragamba Dam This is another inappropriate proposal which will damage a world heritage site and allow building in a flood plain. You can write a quick submission opposing it. Closing date 12 November. For details on what is involved, some helpful speaking points and how to lodge a submission go to
https://npansw.org.au/2021/10/11/have-your-say-proposal-to-raise-the-warragamba-dam-wall/
Narrabri Gas field NAB bank is considering its oil and gas policy. Write using this easy form letter to ask they don’t fund these industries (which include Santos project) https://www.lockthegate.org.au/nab_action
Bush and city divide? Not when it comes to climate change. Fill in this letter to your MP telling them polling shows we’re all concerned about climate change.
https://www.getup.org.au/campaigns/climate-justice/email-your-mp/call-for-climate-action-this-decade
Marine plastic The Australian government supports a global marine plastic treaty to stop plastic waste entering our oceans. Write to Scott Morrison https://www.pm.gov.au/contact-your-pm and Sussan Ley
https://minister.awe.gov.au/ley/contact/contact-form using Boomerang Alliance’s talking points to say you support this move by the government.
https://www.boomerangalliance.org.au/we_need_an_effective_marine_plastic_treaty
Electricity prices down due to renewables https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/oct/22/record-renewables-drive-down-electricity-prices-across-australia
Council elections will be held on 4 December. Here’s what policies the Nature Conservation Council thinks candidates should adopt. https://www.nature.org.au/local_government_elections_platform_2021
Adani is sponsoring London’s Science Museum’s gallery of climate change. You can contact the museum via social media at @sciencemuseum to voice your concerns about this greenwashing or sign this petition https://act.350.org/sign/science-museum-adani/
Blackrock,one of Adani’s biggest investors, starting to feel the heat. https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/blackrock-opposed-re-election-800-company-directors-q3-report-2021-10-21/
Australia the Export Powerhouse Watch BZE’s webinar on how this can be achieved. https://bze.org.au/events/webinar-export-powerhouse/
Pumped hydro There’s 11Gw of pumped hydro proposed for NSW which will help keep those lights on when the sun’s not shining and the wind’s not blowing! https://reneweconomy.com.au/nsw-flooded-by-11gw-of-pumped-hydro-proposals-for-big-flip-to-renewables/
RECYCLING AND SUSTAINABILITY
Concrete Researchers at University of Tokyo are developing a more sustainable concrete https://www.sustainabilitymatters.net.au/content/sustainability/case-study/a-concrete-solution-to-reduce-construction-industry-emissions-1605270946
ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Time to switch to EVs There’s a huge opportunity to electrify all transport vehicles – we just need political will and policies https://www.sustainabilitymatters.net.au/content/energy/article/time-to-speed-the-switch-to-electric-vehicles-616646557