One ear for mining, one for oil

Howard: one ear for mining, one for oil, but none for scientists and environmentalists.

To whom does John Howard look for advice about climate change and energy policy?

The Sydney Morning Herald's Environment Reporter, Wendy Frew, reports today that the Prime Minister has been talking to BHP, Rio Tinto Aluminium and Chevron Oil about emissions trading.

[Note: BHP and Rio Tinto are both listed as donors to the Federal Liberal Party in the most recent (2004/5) donation disclosures.]

Frew says “It appears scientists, energy experts and environmentalists will not be consulted although they have been long-term supporters of such a global scheme.”

The article goes on to quote Howard as warning that he will not support any scheme that “would damage Australia’s fossil fuel sector or energy-intensive industries such as aluminium, steel and cement”, and that he would not enter into any global agreement without “tough emission reduction targets for developing nations such as China and India”.

China and India have already signed and ratified the Kyoto agreement, though the treaty recognises their status as developing nations. See my earlier blog entry. The ethical basis of Kyoto was that human induced climate change has been caused primarily by developed nations, and that the onus for reducing emissions should fall primarily on them. An exception was made for Australia (which has signed but not ratified Kyoto), which was entitled under the agreement to an 8% increase in greenhouse gas emission on the benchmark 1990 levels.

The Howard Government has refused to ratify Kyoto, despite even this modest obligation. In doing so, Australia is internationally alienated, and our capacity to be part of global negotiations on Climate Change policy is severely compromised.

Ironically, for a government so ostensibly concerned about the economic impact of Kyoto on Australia, the Howard approach to climate change and energy has also cost Australia jobs and trade opportunities, and is likely to be a significant impediment to Australia entering any global emissions trading system.

The Australian also mentions that the French are now talking about taxing imports from countries that have not committed themselves to the second phase of the Kyoto Protocol, as a stand against “environmental dumping”. What a turnaround from the days when Australia – quite legitimately – protested against French nuclear testing in the Pacific. Howard has now made Australia an environmental pariah, even in the eyes of the French.

The cloak of Emperor Howard’s climate change rhetoric – tailored by big mining and oil interests - is making him look decidedly naked.