Bowen signs Australia up to join global methane cut crusade
Australia has officially signed up to US President Joe Biden’s global pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30 per cent over the decade, boosting the Albanese government’s climate credentials.
Australia has officially signed up to US President Joe Biden’s global pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30 per cent over the decade, boosting the Albanese government’s climate credentials ahead of November’s UN COP27 climate summit.
Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen announced the commitment on Sunday, joining more than 122 countries in an “aspirational” global target to reducing methane emissions.
The announcement comes after The Australian this month revealed a formal commitment to the global methane pledge was imminent amid growing pressure from the Biden administration and South Pacific nations for Australia to embrace stronger climate change action on the world stage.
The livestock sector, mainly because of the digestive functions of cattle and sheep, is responsible for about 48 per cent of the country’s methane emissions, which make up about 25 per cent of our total greenhouse gas emissions.
Mr Bowen said the government would work closely with the sector to tackle emissions, bolster research and development programs and implement its safeguard mechanism reforms.
The commonwealth will spend up to $3bn from its $15bn National Reconstruction Fund to support investment in low emissions technologies that help to reduce agricultural methane reduction.
He accused the former Coalition government of dragging its feet on climate change, and “lying” to the Australian people about the impact of climate change. “It is very clear to me the previous government was addicted to denial, to delay. They are addicted to lying about emissions whether they be methane or CO2,” Mr Bowen said.
“It was a government addicted to lying to the Australian people about the implications of their action on climate change. I can only conclude their refusal is a sign of their pattern of behaviour.”
Mr Bowen said the pledge would not legislate or introduce taxes to reduce livestock emissions. The assurances came after New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern flagged plans to tax greenhouse gases produced by farm animals through burping and urinating.
The announcement sparked widespread outrage within the agricultural sector, with the industry’s main lobby group, Federated Farmers, saying the plan would “rip the guts out of small-town New Zealand’’.
Nationals leader David Littleproud on Sunday said the commitment revealed “how out of touch” the Labor Party was, warning the pledge would cause meat prices to rise.
He reiterated that Australians’ BBQs had been “turned off for some time now” as he urged the government to provide detail on how the commitment would be achieved.
“This is how out of touch the Labor Party is with the current cost of living crisis,” he told The Australian. “There are families out there that can’t afford red meat. A T-bone costs $30 a kilo while eye fillets are over $70 a kilo.
“How they are going to achieve this without putting the prices up for families is a question they need to answer. You don’t sign up to something unless you know how you’re going to get there.”
National Farmers Federation chief executive Tony Mahar said the pledge would reinforce the agriculture sector’s commitment to sustainability, with the industry having already reduced its emissions by nearly 60 per cent on 2005 levels.
Mr Mahar welcomed the government’s assurances that the pledge would not see new taxes or regulations on the sector.
“Farmers have been given assurances there will be no new taxes or regulation on livestock methane, and no reduction to agricultural production nor livestock numbers,” Mr Mahar said.
“This commitment recognises agriculture’s existing achievement, future plans and dedication to ongoing partnership with government to develop technology-led solutions and associated innovation.”
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