Boris Johnson calls on Scott Morrison to take ‘bold action’ on climate change
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called on Scott Morrison to do something he has been so far unwilling to do.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has stressed the need for “bold action” to address climate change during a phone call with Scott Morrison.
The leaders spoke on Tuesday night and agreed to work closely to boost research, development and scaling up of low-emission technologies.
Mr Johnson is understood to have emphasised the “importance of setting ambitious targets” to cut emissions and reach net zero to Mr Morrison.
“Prime Minister (Johnson) also stressed that we need bold action to address climate change, noting that the UK’s experience demonstrates that driving economic growth and reducing emissions can go hand-in-hand,” Downing St said in a statement.
Great call with my friend @ScottMorrisonMP this morning. Whether it’s boosting trade between great nations or developing cutting-edge technology to tackle climate change - the UK and Australia are partners in building back better from coronavirus. 🇬🇧🇦🇺
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) October 27, 2020
A spokesman for Mr Morrison said Mr Johnson welcomed Australia’s significant increase in emissions reduction programs announced through the budget and strongly endorsed the nation’s focus on unlocking practical pathways.
The move comes ahead of a Climate Ambition Summit on December 12 and the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow next year.
“One thing the British Prime Minister and I agree on is that achieving emissions reductions should not come at the cost of jobs in Australia or the UK,” Mr Morrison said on Wednesday.
“It should not come at the cost of higher prices for the daily things that our citizens depend on.
“It’s about technology not taxes is what we talked about last night.
“And that’s not just important in terms of how we continue to transform our own economies to lower emissions, it’s also important about how we achieve a gear change globally in developing countries.”
Labor leader Anthony Albanese called on the Morrison Government to commit to zero net emissions by 2050.
“This is a target that is consistent with what was agreed to by Paris,” Mr Albanese said.
But Mr Morrison said Australia will meet its commitments.
Free trade agreement negotiations were also discussed, including the need to “work at pace” to secure a mutually beneficial deal.
“We are not looking for any ordinary agreement here, we are looking for a ground seating arrangement with the UK,” Mr Morrison said.
The prime ministers also agreed on the importance of like-minded countries working “more closely together” in a more uncertain strategic environment.
Mr Morrison also called re-elected New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday to congratulate her on the election victory.
The pair discussed the challenge of responding to COVID-19, including safely reopening their economies, the trans-Tasman travel corridor and movement of the labour force.
They also talked about further aligning their approach to candidates running for multilateral forums, such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and their priorities ahead of the forthcoming Pacific Island Forum leaders’ meeting.
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape also spoke with Mr Morrison.
Mr Marape conveyed PNG’s “deep appreciation” for Australia’s support as it responded to a COVID-19 outbreak, including the deployment of an AUSMAT team.
The leaders also discussed their focus ahead of the Pacific Island Forum meeting, and as members of the Pacific family, they would remain in close contact on regional and strategic challenges.
They looked forward to seeing each other in person soon, a spokesman for Mr Morrison said.
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