(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Half of adults in Australia believe their government is right to modify its emissions trading scheme to combat climate change, according to a poll by Essential Research. 49 per cent approve of the decision, while 31 per cent disapprove.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Half of adults in Australia believe their government is right to modify its emissions trading scheme to combat climate change, according to a poll by Essential Research. 49 per cent approve of the decision, while 31 per cent disapprove.
Australia held a federal election in November 2007. Final results gave the Australian Labor Party (ALP) 85 seats in the 150-member House of Representatives. ALP leader Kevin Rudd was officially sworn in as prime minister in December, bringing an end to the 11-year tenure of Liberal leader John Howard as head of Australia’s government.
Rudd signed the Kyoto Protocol immediately after being sworn in, delivering on one of his electoral promises. In March 2008, the Kyoto Protocol came into effect. In July, the Rudd government introduced its Green Paper, a proposal to curb carbon emissions.
In September 2008, after reviewing the Green Paper, the government said it will implement a "Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme." The plan will include a carbon emissions trading system that will help reduce pollution "in a responsible and flexible manner and at the lowest possible cost" by giving businesses a permit to release up to a certain amount of greenhouse gas emissions. The mechanism will apply to stationary energy, transport, fugitive emissions, industrial processes, and the waste and forestry sectors.
Earlier this month, the Australian government announced it would delay the introduction of the "Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme" until 2011, and set higher targets for the reduction of carbon emissions if other countries do the same.
Sean Lucy, head of the Carbon Solutions Group at the National Australia Bank (NAB), outlined her views on the government’s decision, saying, "Our concern is about the impact on investment. Whether or not you have a financial crisis, the same questions apply regarding the difficult choices that we make. We’re trying to alter the structure of the economy. The sooner you start the process the easier it is to invest with confidence in the future."
Polling Data
The government has announced changes to its emissions trading scheme to combat climate change. These changes include delaying introduction of the scheme until 2011, reducing the cost of carbon emissions, and setting higher targets for reduction if other countries do the same. Do you approve or disapprove of these changes?
|
Approve |
49% |
|
Disapprove |
31% |
|
Not sure |
20% |
Source: Essential Research
Methodology: Online interviews with 1,102 Australian adults, conducted from May 4 to May 10, 2009. No margin of error was provided.
