Opinion: Glasgow summit could define Morrison’s prime ministership

For Scott Morrison, committing to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 is a huge political gamble, writes Peter Gleeson.

Glasgow may well be the birthplace of funnyman Billy Connolly, but the climate summit in the Scottish city is in danger of becoming a comedy show.

No Putin, no Xi, despite Russia and China being high carbon dioxide emitters.

For Prime Minister Scott Morrison, committing to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 is a huge political gamble.

If there is one issue that differentiates the Coalition from the Labor Party in this country it is climate change policy.

Miners, in particular, embraced Scott Morrison at the last election because they did not trust Bill Shorten on the race to renewable energy.

Now there seems to be little difference in their policies.

Yet the reality is that the world’s biggest polluters are going through the motions on climate change policy.

They are signing up to the Never Never. Why would we ever trust Russia and China to do anything remotely in our interests?

Russia is the chief suspect in the downing of the passenger plane MH17, killing 38 Australians, yet the Russians have always maintained their innocence, despite overwhelming evidence to suggest otherwise.

China is a bully. It cannot cop criticism for anything, including Covid-19, despite clearly being where it originated.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison arrives in Rome for the G20, en route to the Glasgow climate summit. Picture: Adam Taylor/Prime Minister’s Office

Right now around the world, there are 350 new coal-fired power plants under construction.

According to the latest data from Statista, China was building 184, on top of its 1062 existing plants.

For Australia to reach its lofty net-zero emissions target, coal-fired power stations would need to be phased out.

That’s despite 80 per cent of our power generation coming from plants powered by coal.

Most people want to save the planet.

But Russia and China are running dead on the issue.

Glasgow may well define Scott Morrison’s prime ministership.

The devil will be in the detail on how Australians react to this latest bid to appease voters on climate change and the push for net-zero emissions.

If miners and farmers feel as though the Coalition is short-changing them, expect a backlash.

That’s why the Nationals will not bend on this issue.

Whatever goes down in Glasgow, the real battle on climate change begins and ends in Canberra.

As always, it’s political. Labor is curling the moustache, knowing Morrison may well be self-imploding.

One thing is certain. Australia is much better off on the Morrison net-zero plan.

Labor’s policies will crush mining and hurt farmers.

The Nationals will ensure that doesn’t happen in Australia.

Originally published as Opinion: Glasgow summit could define Morrison’s prime ministership