Before the 2007 election, I described climate change as the greatest economic, environmental and moral challenge of our generation. I made no apology for it then. I make no apology for it now.

I did so because Australia, as one of the world’s 20 largest emitters, the single highest per capita emitter and the driest continent on earth, had a responsibility to act – as part of our collective responsibility for the future of the planet itself and for those who come after us.