We need to act and we need to act now.
That was the message ATSE President Hugh Bradlow and CEO Kylie Walker delivered today to the House of Representatives Environment and Energy committee.
The Committee is inquiring into two Climate Change bills put forward by Independent MP Zali Steggall calling for Australia to commit to net zero emissions by 2050.
ATSE strongly supports the net zero target and believes there’s merit in the implementation of five-yearly emissions budgets.
“The net zero target and the five-year updates are extremely important in terms of creating investment certainty,” Professor Bradlow told the inquiry.
“People don’t just invest in technology because they like it. They invest in it for a purpose and that purpose ultimately has to have economic viability and without those targets it won’t have the viability.”
ATSE’s submission on the Climate Change bills also supports the proposed core pillars of risk assessment, adaptation planning and technology assessments.
Chief Executive Kylie Walker says legislation alone will not be enough to achieve the net zero target.
“The Climate Change Bills need to be accompanied by a national policy, strategy, research and technology development,” Ms Walker said.
ATSE is optimistic that with strong leadership from government and active participation by industry Australia would be well-placed to meet the challenges of climate change.
Read our full submission to the inquiry, and our Emissions Target Explainer.
Below is a short section of Hugh Bradlow’s evidence before the inquiry.