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Sky News AU
a day ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
‘Mass delusion': Energy experts say UN climate boss ‘off with the fairies' after claiming Australia's carbon emissions ‘overheating' the planet
The United Nation's top climate change official Simon Stiell has been rubbished by energy experts for pushing an alarmist message that Australia was 'overheating' the planet without mentioning China's ballooning carbon emissions. The United Nation's climate change executive secretary Simon Stiell piled pressure onto the Albanese government and said that Australia was allowing the planet to 'overheat' and that it should 'not settle for what's easy' when determining its 2035 emission reduction targets. The climate tzar bizarrely declared that fruits would become a 'once-a-year treat' if Labor did not lift its clean energy ambitions and that only countries that acted 'boldly today' would reap the benefits of the energy transition. 'Mega-droughts (will make) fresh fruit and veg a once-a-year treat. In total, the country could face a $6.8 trillion GDP loss by 2050,' Mr Stiell forebodingly warned at an event hosted by the Smart Energy Council on Monday in Sydney. Senior fellow and chief economist at the Institute of Public Affairs Adam Creighton labelled Mr Stiell's comments as 'ludicrous fearmongering' and 'mass delusion.' 'Almost exactly two years ago UN Secretary General Guterres said 'the era of global boiling has arrived'. Informed Australians are likely to see his colleagues' comments as yet another example of ludicrous fearmongering,' Mr Creighton told He also drew attention to the fact that China and India were emitting more coal in a single year than Australia did in a week. 'Steill's demand that Australia reduce its greenhouse emissions further should be ignored and condemned given Australia's contribution to global emissions has fallen to barely more than 1 per cent.' Mr Creighton stressed that Australia should not be expected to bear the weight of climate change when the world's largest polluters continued to increase its emissions and that Mr Stiell's comments were contradictory and false. 'If Steill was serious about reducing global emissions he'd be saving his hysterical words for China and India, none of whom are taking 'net zero' seriously, as has become clear by their soaring use of coal to power their development." China and India's share of global emissions have risen to 40 per cent, more than triple that of America's contribution, with China also increasing its annual carbon dioxide emissions by 7.9 billion tons a year since 2000. Nationals Senator Matt Canavan denounced Mr Stiell's remarks, and told Sky News the UN's climate boss was 'off with the fairies.' 'Agriculture production has never been higher, it's insane, it's ridiculous and we cannot be led by people that have clearly not got a proper grasp on how the world works.' Mr Canavan said the only reason Mr Stiell was in Australia was due to the government vying for hosting rights for the COP 31 conference in 2026 and that the country was 'being taken for mugs.' 'Clearly Chris Bowen wants to bring this climate jamboree to Australia next year, that's why he has got this UN guy here, when the UK hosted the climate conference it costed $500 million, this is going to be The Voice 2.0.' Centre for Independent Studies energy analyst Jude Bilk said the United Nations should not be expect Australia to shoulder any load that is 'not being equally shouldered internationally.' 'We are incredibly naive to presume that we can have any material impact, let alone 'set an example' for these nations,' Mr Bilk said. 'The rhetoric of perma-crisis from the UN is beginning to sound shrill to the Australian public, who are already experiencing rising energy costs – with plenty more problems to come.' Mr Bilk said the appropriate response from Australia would be to 'tell Simon Stiell to stick it up his jumper.' Mr Bowen when pressed about Mr Stiell's verbal spray regarding emission reduction targets said that 'targets were easier set than met' and that Australia would act on advice from domestic bodies. 'Targets are easier set than met – we will set a target informed by the expert advice in the national interest,' Mr Bowen said on Tuesday. The federal government will be required in the coming month to legislate its 2035 emission reduction targets, which will be finalised once the Climate Change Authority chaired by former NSW Liberal Premier Matt Kean hands down its advice.
West Australian
2 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
Climate targets ‘easier set than met': Energy Minister Chris Bowen
Energy Minister Chris Bowen has argued targets are 'easier set than met' following increased pressure from the United Nations for Australia to speed up its efforts to tackle climate change. UN climate chief Simon Stiell has urged the Albanese Government to 'not settle for what's easy' when fixing its 2035 emissions target on the path to a global net zero carbon emissions goal by 2050 — a milestone commitment expected to be announced by Labor in weeks. Mr Stiell, who is in Canberra on Tuesday for meetings with Mr Bowen and other Cabinet ministers, told a Smart Energy Council event on Monday that fruit would be a 'once-a-year treat' if Labor did not step up its clean energy ambitions. He also chided Canberra and Ankara over their long-running battle to host next year's COP31 summit, calling the delay unhelpful and unnecessary. Both Turkey and Australia — the latter in a joint bid with Pacific Island nations — are vying for the opportunity to host the high-profile UN climate change conference and neither was willing to back down. Mr Stiell said the deadlock was stalling preparations. 'The two proponents need to come together and between themselves and within the group to make that decision. The delay in making that decision is unhelpful in the process,' he said. Consensus between the 28 members of the Western Europe and Others Group about who should host should have been reached in June. His comments come at a time when Labor is trying to spruik its progress towards its ambitious target of powering 82 per cent of the electricity grid with renewables by 2030 as part of its COP31 bid. Industry Minister Senator Tim Ayres on Tuesday promoted a new GenCost report, prepared by independent expert bodies CSIRO and the Australian Energy Market Operator, as backing Labor's push for renewable energy as the right plan for cheaper and cleaner power for businesses and homes. But the Government delayed its decision on what Mr Stiell has called a defining national strategy on 2035 targets until after the Federal election. It had previously requested guidance from the Climate Change Authority on setting the goal. 'The Albanese Government has not received advice from the independent Climate Change Authority on its 2035 target,' Mr Bowen said on Tuesday. 'Targets are easier set than met. We will set a target informed by the expert advice in the national interest.' But he insisted the Government was 'delivering on climate because it's in our national interest.' Mr Bowen said Australia was producing record renewable electricity, and its energy emissions were lower than when Labor first took office in 2022, with the country on track to achieve its emissions reductions goals. 'I welcome Secretary Stiell acknowledging our significant decarbonisation efforts and the economic opportunity for Australia,' he said. Mr Stiell is in Australia until July 30 as part of a regional visit, including to Indonesia. He is holding several bilateral meetings with Government Ministers to discuss economic opportunities in the course of the country's energy transformation.
Courier-Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Courier-Mail
UN chief's dire warning over Australia's climate inaction
Don't miss out on the headlines from Climate Change. Followed categories will be added to My News. Australia faces 'mega droughts' that will make 'fresh fruit and veg a once-a-year treat' if it does not rapidly ramp up efforts to take the country's grid green, the UN's climate chief has warned ahead of talks in Canberra. Simon Stiell, the executive secretary of the UN's main climate body, will on Tuesday meet with Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen, with Australia's bid to host COP31 next year among the key discussion points. Hosting the climate conference would mark a significant turnaround for Australia, reflective of the Albanese government's efforts to position the country as a regional leader in the renewables transition. Australia's net zero by 2050 target was central to the Albanese government's youth-focused re-election pitch, with Labor vowing to power on with its renewables agenda. Part of that agenda is the 2035 emissions reduction targets due this year. Speaking at an event on Monday, Mr Stiell urged the Albanese government not to 'settle for what's easy' when setting Australia's 2035 emissions reduction targets, warning that doing so would plunge Australia's living standards. UN climate chief Simon Stiell says Australia faces 'mega droughts' that will make 'fresh fruit and veg a once-a-year treat'. Picture: David Gray / AFP 'Mega droughts (will make) fresh fruit and veg a once-a-year treat. In total, the country could face a $6.8 trillion GDP loss by 2050,' Mr Stiell told the Smart Energy Council event. 'Australia has a strong economy and among the highest living standards in the world. 'If you want to keep them, doubling down on clean energy is an economic no-brainer. 'Bog standard is beneath you. The question is: How far are you willing to go? 'The answer is due in September when Australia's next national climate plan is due.' The warning comes as the Coalition weathers a backbench rebellion to repeal the national carbon neutral target. Sussan Ley has committed to a blanket review of all Coalition policies, including net zero, following its decimation at the federal election. But a handful of mostly Nationals backbenchers led by Barnaby Joyce are calling for the emissions target to be abandoned completely, undermining the Opposition Leader's already tenuous authority. The Albanese government has been warned Australia faces 'mega droughts' without ambitious climate goals. Picture: Martin Ollman / NewsWire Fronting media on Tuesday, senior Liberal MP Tim Wilson somewhat dodged when asked about Mr Stiell's comments overnight. 'Our focus is on making sure that we develop a policy long term to build out the energy security Australia needs,' Mr Wilson told reporters. 'There's a simple reality. Since Labor legislated net zero, they sold us a promise which was that we would see a reduction in prices, we would see a reduction of emissions and of course we'd have reliability on our electricity grid. 'In reality, it has been the reverse.' He said Australians 'have seen a rise in prices, a rise in emissions and less reliability for our energy sources'. 'So what we need now is honest conversations about the way forward and making sure we have our policy priorities in the right order,' Mr Wilson said. 'That's to make sure that we have reliability, affordability and emissions reduction so that we can take the Australian community with us.' Originally published as UN climate chief warns Australia faces 'mega droughts' without climate action
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
‘Mega droughts': Huge warning to Australia
Australia faces 'mega droughts' that will make 'fresh fruit and veg a once-a-year treat' if it does not rapidly ramp up efforts to take the country's grid green, the UN's climate chief has warned ahead of talks in Canberra. Simon Stiell, the executive secretary of the UN's main climate body, will on Tuesday meet with Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen, with Australia's bid to host COP31 next year among the key discussion points. Hosting the climate conference would mark a significant turnaround for Australia, reflective of the Albanese government's efforts to position the country as a regional leader in the renewables transition. Australia's net zero by 2050 target was central to the Albanese government's youth-focused re-election pitch, with Labor vowing to power on with its renewables agenda. Part of that agenda is the 2035 emissions reduction targets due this year. Speaking at an event on Monday, Mr Stiell urged the Albanese government not to 'settle for what's easy' when setting Australia's 2035 emissions reduction targets, warning that doing so would plunge Australia's living standards. 'Mega droughts (will make) fresh fruit and veg a once-a-year treat. In total, the country could face a $6.8 trillion GDP loss by 2050,' Mr Stiell told the Smart Energy Council event. 'Australia has a strong economy and among the highest living standards in the world. 'If you want to keep them, doubling down on clean energy is an economic no-brainer. 'Bog standard is beneath you. The question is: How far are you willing to go? 'The answer is due in September when Australia's next national climate plan is due.' The warning comes as the Coalition weathers a backbench rebellion to repeal the national carbon neutral target. Sussan Ley has committed to a blanket review of all Coalition policies, including net zero, following its decimation at the federal election. But a handful of mostly Nationals backbenchers led by Barnaby Joyce are calling for the emissions target to be abandoned completely, undermining the Opposition Leader's already tenuous authority. The Albanese government has been warned Australia faces 'mega droughts' without ambitious climate goals. Martin Ollman / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia Fronting media on Tuesday, senior Liberal MP Tim Wilson somewhat dodged when asked about Mr Stiell's comments overnight. 'Our focus is on making sure that we develop a policy long term to build out the energy security Australia needs,' Mr Wilson told reporters. 'There's a simple reality. Since Labor legislated net zero, they sold us a promise which was that we would see a reduction in prices, we would see a reduction of emissions and of course we'd have reliability on our electricity grid. 'In reality, it has been the reverse.' He said Australians 'have seen a rise in prices, a rise in emissions and less reliability for our energy sources'. 'So what we need now is honest conversations about the way forward and making sure we have our policy priorities in the right order,' Mr Wilson said. 'That's to make sure that we have reliability, affordability and emissions reduction so that we can take the Australian community with us.'
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
UN climate chief calls on Labor to aim for more ambitious climate targets as Chris Bowen unveils massive investment in renewables subsidies
The United Nations climate chief has lobbied the Albanese government to set its sights on passing higher 2035 emission reduction targets with Energy Chris Bowen massively beefing up the government's investment in renewables projects. During the first parliamentary sitting week net zero and the government's climate targets have generated considerable tension and debate with numerous members of the Coalition and crossbench vehemently arguing against Labor's 'all renewables' approach. Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce alongside a handful of colleagues tabled his own private member's bill that sought to completely overhaul net zero, while One Nation leader Pauline Hanson tabled an urgency motion in the Senate aimed at dumping all climate related measures. The government brushed away criticisms of its energy policy with Energy Minister Chris Bowen saying in Question Time on Monday that 'appointing Senator Canavan to review net zero is like putting Coldplay in control of kiss cam. It doesn't necessarily lead to a happy marriage.' However the United Nation's climate change executive secretary Simon Stiell piled on pressure on the Albanese government and insisted that Australia should 'not settle for what's easy' when determining its 2035 emission reduction targets. Mr Stiell declared at an event hosted by the Smart Energy Council on Monday in Sydney that Australia was allowing the planet to 'overheat' and that fruits would be a 'once-a-year treat' if the government did not pass ambitious climate targets moving forward. 'Mega-droughts (will make) fresh fruit and veg a once-a-year treat. In total, the country could face a $6.8 trillion GDP loss by 2050,' Mr Stiell warned. The climate boss, who is set to hold a face-to-face meeting with Mr Bowen on Tuesday also reiterated that lacklustre climate targets would result in a stark drop in Australia's 'high living standards.' 'Australia has a strong economy and among the highest living standards in the world. If you want to keep them, doubling down on clean energy is an economic no-brainer. Bog standard is beneath you. The question is: how far are you willing to go? The federal government will be required in the coming month to legislate its 2035 emission reduction targets, which will be finalised once the Climate Change Authority chaired by former NSW Liberal Premier Matt Kean hands down its advice. The CCA is expected to provide the government with its analysis in early September in concurrence with the commencement of the international summit season with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hoping to tout the figure to secure hosting rights for the COP31 conference in 2026. Numerous business and industry groups including the Australian chamber of Commerce have railed against the imposition of a 2035 target larger than 65 per cent. The CCA previously indicated it was eyeing a figure between 65 and 75 per cent. Mr Bowen also announced on Monday that Labor would be seeking to bolster its investment in the Capacity Investment Scheme by 25 per cent in a bid to fast track the roll out of renewables projects nationwide. The Capacity Investment Scheme is the government's primary financial initiative aimed at accelerating private investment in renewable energy generation and clean dispatchable capacity by providing revenue guarantees for companies. The major funding boost comes despite a raft of clean energy developments falling over in recent months, as supply chain woes, planning interruptions, labour shortages and inflation continues to delay and stymie the government's clean energy agenda.
