Latest news with #SmartEnergyCouncil
Kuwait Times
28-07-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
UN tells Australia, Turkey to end COP31 standoff
SYDNEY: UN climate chief Simon Stiell (right) speaks during a Smart Energy Council event in Sydney on July 28, 2025. — AFP SYDNEY: The United Nations climate chief on Monday urged Australia and Turkey to resolve their long-running tussle over who will host next year's COP31 summit, calling the delay unhelpful and unnecessary. Australia and Turkey submitted bids to host the high-profile conference in 2022 and both countries have refused to concede to the other ever since. Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which oversees COP summits, said the deadlock was undermining preparations. 'A decision needs to be made very quickly,' he said at a Smart Energy Council event in Sydney. '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 to the process.' The annual UN talks rotate through five regional groups. COP31's host must be unanimously agreed upon by the 28 members of the Western Europe and Others Group (WEOG) bloc. The UN had set a deadline of June for the group to reach consensus. Australia is seeking to co-host next year's summit with the Pacific to showcase its renewable energy transition. It had hoped to secure the bid, which has majority backing among its regional group, at COP29 in Azerbaijan. The UK, a WEOG member, last week reiterated its support for Australia and 'expressed the hope that a decision would soon be reached' during Australia-UK Ministerial Consultations held in Sydney. But Turkey has rebuffed calls to drop out of the race, and instead doubled down on its efforts during interim talks in Bonn last month. Turkey argues its Mediterranean location would help reduce emissions from flights bringing delegates to the conference, and has pointed out its smaller oil and gas industry compared to Australia. Stiell said the deadlock was now affecting the planning of the COP process, involving thousands of delegates from 200 member countries. 'In negotiations that are as complex as they are, that lack of clarity creates tensions that are completely unnecessary at this stage,' he said. Asked for comment, the office of Australian Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen referred to an interview where he said Australia's bid had the backing of 23 out of 28 WEOG members. Australia had also approached Turkey multiple times to find a 'win-win' solution, he said. 'We've got the votes. We could have all the votes in the world. If Turkey is not going to withdraw, that's still a challenge,' Bowen told The Conversation Politics Podcast on Thursday. At the same event, Stiell also called on Australia to set an ambitious 2035 emissions target and accelerate its clean energy transition. Australia's national climate plan, due in September, would be a 'defining moment' that could send a message that 'this country is open for clean investment, trade, and long-term partnerships', he said. — Reuters
BBC News
28-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
UN chief urges Australia to aim higher as it debates climate goals
The UN's climate chief has urged Australia to take more ambitious climate action, as debate over the country's emissions reduction targets heats up in parliament."Bog standard is beneath you," Simon Stiell told the country, arguing "colossal" economic rewards could be reaped by aiming higher. Australia has pledged to reduce emissions by 43% by 2030, but remains one of the world's biggest polluters per capita and faces criticism for continuing to rely on fossil Stiell's comments came as a bill to overturn the nation's goal of net zero emissions by 2050 was moved by an opposition MP in parliament, and the Labor government considers a new reduction target for the next decade - 2035. Speaking at an event hosted by independent industry body the Smart Energy Council, Mr Stiell called the fresh 2035 target - due to be announced in September - a "defining moment" for these targets, also known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), is part of the country's obligation under the Paris Climate Agreement. The 2015 pledge saw world leaders agree to keep global temperatures from rising 1.5C above those of the late 19th Century."Go for what's smart by going big," Mr Stiell said, warning that a failure to do so risks eroding regional stability and living standards."Consider the alternative: missing the opportunity and letting the world overheat," he a few hours earlier, former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce - who is known for his climate change skepticism - introduced legislation to wind back the country's current net zero goals, arguing that it would have "absolutely no effect on the climate whatsoever".Australia has in recent years grappled with successive natural disasters, and climate experts warn that the country - along with the rest of the globe - faces a future full of similar crises unless dramatic cuts to emissions are bill is all but doomed to fail, as the Labor government has a large majority in the House of Representatives and members of the National MP's own party disagree with it is likely to increase pressure on the coalition - made up of the Liberal and National parties - as they reassess their climate and energy policies following a bruising election defeat in change has been a huge theme of the past few elections in Minister Anthony Albanese came to power in 2022, promising to take greater action, but his Labor government has been criticised for its continued support of coal and gas country is currently seeking to co-host the UN's COP31 climate summit with the Pacific next year.
Perth Now
28-07-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
UN urges Australia to lead global renewable energy race
The United Nations is urging Australia to set ambitious climate and renewable energy targets in its next net-zero update to secure future jobs and a rich vein of clean exports for the country. Falling short of expectations would come at a significant cost, the organisation warns, as natural disasters caused by climate change could "cripple" local food production and undermine Australians' living standards. United Nations climate change executive secretary Simon Stiell issued the warnings at an event in Sydney on Monday before he is due to meet with Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen. The call comes two months before the federal government is due to release 2035 climate goals, but also as former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce introduced a private member's bill to parliament to repeal Australia's 2050 net-zero target. The race to develop, sell and use clean energy products had already begun across the world, Mr Stiell told the Smart Energy Council event, with major renewable investments in countries including China and India. Australia's "defining moment" for the market could arrive in September with its 2035 climate plan, he said, which, could lay the foundation for future jobs and businesses, and send a clear message to investors worldwide. "(It's one shot) to strengthen Australia's economic security and regional influence, building an on-ramp to the Asian clean-tech boom," he said. "(It's one shot) to anchor future industries - green hydrogen, clean metals, critical minerals - in policies that give investors confidence, give communities certainty, create good jobs paying good wages, and a rising national tide that lifts living standards for all." His call comes less than a week after an International Renewable Energy Agency study found 91 per cent of renewable energy projects were more cost-effective than those using fossil fuel. Solar projects saved 41 per cent on average, while onshore wind projects cut costs by 53 per cent, the research found. Australia's existing renewable energy targets were effective, Mr Stiell said, but more ambitious goals could further reduce the costs of energy production and help Australians avoid costly climate risks. Allowing climate change to continue could "cripple Australia's food production", he said, as well as contributing to a loss in gross domestic product and lower living standards. "Climate disasters are already costing Australian home-owners $4 billion a year and that figure is only going one way," Mr Stiell said. "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." Under the Paris climate agreement, the Australian government must submit its 2035 climate targets by September this year. The Climate Change Authority, which will advise the government, is considering an emissions-reduction target between 65 and 75 per cent by 2035. Current Australian climate targets include a 43 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases and 82 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030. The federal opposition is yet to release a climate policy.
The Advertiser
28-07-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
UN urges Australia to lead global renewable energy race
The United Nations is urging Australia to set ambitious climate and renewable energy targets in its next net-zero update to secure future jobs and a rich vein of clean exports for the country. Falling short of expectations would come at a significant cost, the organisation warns, as natural disasters caused by climate change could "cripple" local food production and undermine Australians' living standards. United Nations climate change executive secretary Simon Stiell issued the warnings at an event in Sydney on Monday before he is due to meet with Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen. The call comes two months before the federal government is due to release 2035 climate goals, but also as former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce introduced a private member's bill to parliament to repeal Australia's 2050 net-zero target. The race to develop, sell and use clean energy products had already begun across the world, Mr Stiell told the Smart Energy Council event, with major renewable investments in countries including China and India. Australia's "defining moment" for the market could arrive in September with its 2035 climate plan, he said, which, could lay the foundation for future jobs and businesses, and send a clear message to investors worldwide. "(It's one shot) to strengthen Australia's economic security and regional influence, building an on-ramp to the Asian clean-tech boom," he said. "(It's one shot) to anchor future industries - green hydrogen, clean metals, critical minerals - in policies that give investors confidence, give communities certainty, create good jobs paying good wages, and a rising national tide that lifts living standards for all." His call comes less than a week after an International Renewable Energy Agency study found 91 per cent of renewable energy projects were more cost-effective than those using fossil fuel. Solar projects saved 41 per cent on average, while onshore wind projects cut costs by 53 per cent, the research found. Australia's existing renewable energy targets were effective, Mr Stiell said, but more ambitious goals could further reduce the costs of energy production and help Australians avoid costly climate risks. "Climate disasters are already costing Australian home-owners $4 billion a year and that figure is only going one way," Mr Stiell said. "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." Under the Paris climate agreement, the Australian government must submit its 2035 climate targets by September this year. The Climate Change Authority, which will advise the government, is considering an emissions-reduction target between 65 and 75 per cent by 2035. Current Australian climate targets include a 43 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases and 82 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030. The federal opposition is yet to release a climate policy. The United Nations is urging Australia to set ambitious climate and renewable energy targets in its next net-zero update to secure future jobs and a rich vein of clean exports for the country. Falling short of expectations would come at a significant cost, the organisation warns, as natural disasters caused by climate change could "cripple" local food production and undermine Australians' living standards. United Nations climate change executive secretary Simon Stiell issued the warnings at an event in Sydney on Monday before he is due to meet with Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen. The call comes two months before the federal government is due to release 2035 climate goals, but also as former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce introduced a private member's bill to parliament to repeal Australia's 2050 net-zero target. The race to develop, sell and use clean energy products had already begun across the world, Mr Stiell told the Smart Energy Council event, with major renewable investments in countries including China and India. Australia's "defining moment" for the market could arrive in September with its 2035 climate plan, he said, which, could lay the foundation for future jobs and businesses, and send a clear message to investors worldwide. "(It's one shot) to strengthen Australia's economic security and regional influence, building an on-ramp to the Asian clean-tech boom," he said. "(It's one shot) to anchor future industries - green hydrogen, clean metals, critical minerals - in policies that give investors confidence, give communities certainty, create good jobs paying good wages, and a rising national tide that lifts living standards for all." His call comes less than a week after an International Renewable Energy Agency study found 91 per cent of renewable energy projects were more cost-effective than those using fossil fuel. Solar projects saved 41 per cent on average, while onshore wind projects cut costs by 53 per cent, the research found. Australia's existing renewable energy targets were effective, Mr Stiell said, but more ambitious goals could further reduce the costs of energy production and help Australians avoid costly climate risks. "Climate disasters are already costing Australian home-owners $4 billion a year and that figure is only going one way," Mr Stiell said. "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." Under the Paris climate agreement, the Australian government must submit its 2035 climate targets by September this year. The Climate Change Authority, which will advise the government, is considering an emissions-reduction target between 65 and 75 per cent by 2035. Current Australian climate targets include a 43 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases and 82 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030. The federal opposition is yet to release a climate policy. The United Nations is urging Australia to set ambitious climate and renewable energy targets in its next net-zero update to secure future jobs and a rich vein of clean exports for the country. Falling short of expectations would come at a significant cost, the organisation warns, as natural disasters caused by climate change could "cripple" local food production and undermine Australians' living standards. United Nations climate change executive secretary Simon Stiell issued the warnings at an event in Sydney on Monday before he is due to meet with Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen. The call comes two months before the federal government is due to release 2035 climate goals, but also as former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce introduced a private member's bill to parliament to repeal Australia's 2050 net-zero target. The race to develop, sell and use clean energy products had already begun across the world, Mr Stiell told the Smart Energy Council event, with major renewable investments in countries including China and India. Australia's "defining moment" for the market could arrive in September with its 2035 climate plan, he said, which, could lay the foundation for future jobs and businesses, and send a clear message to investors worldwide. "(It's one shot) to strengthen Australia's economic security and regional influence, building an on-ramp to the Asian clean-tech boom," he said. "(It's one shot) to anchor future industries - green hydrogen, clean metals, critical minerals - in policies that give investors confidence, give communities certainty, create good jobs paying good wages, and a rising national tide that lifts living standards for all." His call comes less than a week after an International Renewable Energy Agency study found 91 per cent of renewable energy projects were more cost-effective than those using fossil fuel. Solar projects saved 41 per cent on average, while onshore wind projects cut costs by 53 per cent, the research found. Australia's existing renewable energy targets were effective, Mr Stiell said, but more ambitious goals could further reduce the costs of energy production and help Australians avoid costly climate risks. "Climate disasters are already costing Australian home-owners $4 billion a year and that figure is only going one way," Mr Stiell said. "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." Under the Paris climate agreement, the Australian government must submit its 2035 climate targets by September this year. The Climate Change Authority, which will advise the government, is considering an emissions-reduction target between 65 and 75 per cent by 2035. Current Australian climate targets include a 43 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases and 82 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030. The federal opposition is yet to release a climate policy. The United Nations is urging Australia to set ambitious climate and renewable energy targets in its next net-zero update to secure future jobs and a rich vein of clean exports for the country. Falling short of expectations would come at a significant cost, the organisation warns, as natural disasters caused by climate change could "cripple" local food production and undermine Australians' living standards. United Nations climate change executive secretary Simon Stiell issued the warnings at an event in Sydney on Monday before he is due to meet with Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen. The call comes two months before the federal government is due to release 2035 climate goals, but also as former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce introduced a private member's bill to parliament to repeal Australia's 2050 net-zero target. The race to develop, sell and use clean energy products had already begun across the world, Mr Stiell told the Smart Energy Council event, with major renewable investments in countries including China and India. Australia's "defining moment" for the market could arrive in September with its 2035 climate plan, he said, which, could lay the foundation for future jobs and businesses, and send a clear message to investors worldwide. "(It's one shot) to strengthen Australia's economic security and regional influence, building an on-ramp to the Asian clean-tech boom," he said. "(It's one shot) to anchor future industries - green hydrogen, clean metals, critical minerals - in policies that give investors confidence, give communities certainty, create good jobs paying good wages, and a rising national tide that lifts living standards for all." His call comes less than a week after an International Renewable Energy Agency study found 91 per cent of renewable energy projects were more cost-effective than those using fossil fuel. Solar projects saved 41 per cent on average, while onshore wind projects cut costs by 53 per cent, the research found. Australia's existing renewable energy targets were effective, Mr Stiell said, but more ambitious goals could further reduce the costs of energy production and help Australians avoid costly climate risks. "Climate disasters are already costing Australian home-owners $4 billion a year and that figure is only going one way," Mr Stiell said. "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." Under the Paris climate agreement, the Australian government must submit its 2035 climate targets by September this year. The Climate Change Authority, which will advise the government, is considering an emissions-reduction target between 65 and 75 per cent by 2035. Current Australian climate targets include a 43 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases and 82 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030. The federal opposition is yet to release a climate policy.
Sky News AU
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Sky News host Paul Murray rips into climate CEO after speech praising China for playing 'as a team' while criticising Australia
Sky News host Paul Murray has torn into the CEO of a major climate change charity who praised China – the world's worst carbon emitter – in a bizarre speech in which he attacked Australians for not being team players. Murray ridiculed the comments made by Smart Energy Council Chief Executive John Grimes during his speech at the National Press Club on Wednesday, after he commended China's system because 'China plays as a team'. The Sky News host said the Chinese government, not the Chinese people, was actually a 'ruthless machine' which put tanks in front of protesters in 1989 and would 'de-person' someone in an instant for speaking out against China. Mr Grimes also took aim at Australians, who he claimed simply 'tear each other apart', while applauding the Chinese Communist Party's approach to energy. 'One thing you can say about the Chinese system is that China plays as a team,' Mr Grimes said. 'Australia spends all of our time trying to tear each other apart. That is no way to compete for Team Australia.' Murray said he did not want to be more China, as Mr Grimes suggested, but more like 'free countries'. 'In a free country, you are allowed to disagree with your government. You are allowed to disagree with your fellow citizens. You are allowed to do so out of principle, out of opinion, out of because it's Tuesday, OK? That's our country,' Murray said. The Sky News host said there was not a 'gasp' of a reaction at the NPC, before explaining why Australia should steer clear of emulating China's approach to government. 'I hope (Mr Grimes) and everyone else who thinks why can't we be a little more CCP remembers the Uyghurs,' Murray said. He then presented a BBC article which reported the Uyghur population was being used as slave labour to make solar panels. 'Even Joe Biden, who didn't even know what day it was or what city he was in, when he was president, banned the importation of slave labour solar panels,' he said. 'Australia has not made that decision.' Mr Grimes also acknowledged that he 'spend[s] a bit of time in China' which has included a visit to the battery maker, CATL, which has been accused of being linked to slave labour. The charity has also been tied to numerous other 'black-listed' organisations. The Smart Energy Council is listed with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), a status that exempts it from paying tax. The Albanese government relied heavily on cost estimates produced by the Smart Energy Council during the federal election campaign. These were highly disputed claims that put the cost of the Coalition's nuclear energy rollout at $600 billion, well above the $331 billion calculated by independent consultants Frontier Economics. China has long been the largest CO2 producer, spewing 15,779 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2023, according to independent scientific project, Climate Action Tracker. That was about 2.5 more than the United States at 6,378 tonnes, and about 30 times more than Australia at 530 million tonnes. China's coal demands have also exceeded the rest of the world combined as the source continues to play a disproportionate role in the energy landscape. The Climate Action Tracker (CAT) has warned that China's efforts towards net zero remain 'highly insufficient'.
