Sydney, 3 September 2016 – Responding to the joint announcement that China and the United States have formally joined the Paris Agreement on climate, Greenpeace Australia Pacific Program Director, Dominique Rowe, said:
“One hundred and eighty countries have already signed this historic agreement to curb climate change and taken decisive action against the worst polluters in our world.
“Australia, meanwhile, has approved the largest coal mine in its history and stood idly as climate change destroyed nearly a quarter of the Great Barrier Reef’s coral.
"Australia cannot continue to insist on a future based on fossil fuels. Australians urgently need the government to ratify the Paris agreement and commit to keeping our existing coal deposits in the ground.”
The Paris Agreement will enter into force after 55 countries that account for at least 55% of global emissions have deposited their instruments of ratification. The US and China together account for 38% of global emissions.
ENDS
"This is yet another example of Australia being left in the dust when it comes to climate change action.
“Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull should take note of the leadership shown by the US and China, not only by ratifying the Paris agreement, but being proactive about tackling climate change.
“Australia, the world's top coal exporter, is simply not doing its fair share in the global fight against climate change despite polls consistently showing Australians want more done.
“One hundred and eighty countries have already signed this historic agreement to curb climate change and taken decisive action against the worst polluters in our world.
“Australia, meanwhile, has approved the largest coal mine in its history and stood idly as climate change destroyed nearly a quarter of the Great Barrier Reef’s coral.
"Australia cannot continue to insist on a future based on fossil fuels. Australians urgently need the government to ratify the Paris agreement and commit to keeping our existing coal deposits in the ground.”
The Paris Agreement will enter into force after 55 countries that account for at least 55% of global emissions have deposited their instruments of ratification. The US and China together account for 38% of global emissions.
ENDS