Commonwealth of Australia Explanatory Memoranda Commonwealth of Australia Explanatory Memoranda[Index] [Search] [Download] [Bill] [Help]
2019
THE PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Climate Change Authority Amendment (Impact of 3 Degrees of Global Warming on
Australia) Bill 2019
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
and
STATEMENT OF COMPATIBILITY WITH HUMAN RIGHTS
Circulated by authority of
Adam Bandt MP
Climate Change Authority Amendment (Impact of 3 Degrees of Global Warming on
Australia) Bill 2019
OUTLINE
The Morrison government's climate change targets of a 26-28% reduction on 2005 emissions by
2030 are consistent with 3 degrees or more of global warming. This is inconsistent with the goals
of the Paris Agreement.
Three degrees of global warming will be a disaster for Australia and the rest of the world, leading to
widespread desertification, ocean acidification and sea level rise which will lead to mass starvation,
dislocation and conflict. There is also a substantial risk that such a temperature rise will cross
crucial cascading tipping points in the climate system, leading to further catastrophic warming and
an existential threat to civilisation.
It is crucial that the Commonwealth and the Australian government is provided detailed and
specific advice on the impacts on Australia of the 3 degrees of warming envisaged by the
government's current climate policy.
While there have been concerns regarding the adequacy and independence of recent advice
provided by the Climate Change Authority, it is the appropriate government agency to provide such
advice.
The Climate Change Authority was put in place by the power-sharing Parliament and the
agreement between Labor, the Greens and Independents that delivered the Clean Energy Future
Package.
The Climate Change Act 2011 established the Authority to provide independent, expert advice on
climate change policy. The Authority is made up of a Chair, the Chief Scientist and up to seven
other members supported by a Chief Executive Officer and staff.
The Authority plays a role in the governance of Australia's mitigation policies, undertaking reviews
and making recommendations on the Carbon Farming Initiative and the National Greenhouse and
Energy Reporting System. Reviews are undertaken on other matters as requested by the Minister
responsible for climate change or the Australian Parliament.
Since the Authority last provided its advice to Government on the policy toolkit required to meet the
Paris Agreement, a number of developments have occurred in Australia and around the world in
terms of climate change science, economics and policy.
The Authority is currently conducting a consultation on updated advice to government that will
provide recommendations on actions that are needed to meet the current 2030 emissions target
and that are consistent with meeting subsequent targets with enhanced ambition that put Australia
on a path to net zero emissions, consistent with the Paris Agreement framework.
The Authority conducts and commissions its own independent research and analysis. All reviews
will include public consultation and all reports will be published on the Authority's website as soon
as practicable after they have been given to the Minister.
The Bill requires the Climate Change Authority to conduct a review on the impact on Australian
society, economy and environment of three degrees of global warming which is the current level of
warming that will result from targets currently adopted by the Commonwealth.
The result of the review must be provided to the Minister by July 1 2020 and published at the same
time.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The bill will have no financial impact.
NOTES ON CLAUSES
Clause 1: Short Title
This clause provides for the Act to be cited as the Climate Change Authority Amendment (Impact
of 3 Degrees of Global Warming on Australia) Bill 2019.
Clause 2: Commencement
This clause provides for the whole of this Act to commence the day after it receives Royal Assent.
Schedule 1--Amendments
Amends the Climate Change Authority Act 2011
Item 1:
Inserts after section 59 a new section 59A (1) which requires the Climate Change Authority to
conduct a review of the impacts on Australian society, the Australian economy and the Australian
environment that would result from 3 degrees of global warming.
Section 59A (2) requires the review to be provided to the Minister by July 1 2020 and published on
the Authority's website.
Section 59A (3) - (9) reproduces the existing review provisions of Section 60 of the Climate
Change Authority Act 2011 and sets out the Authority's reporting obligations in relation to a Special
Review.
STATEMENT OF COMPATIBILITY WITH HUMAN RIGHTS
Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011
Climate Change Authority Amendment (Impact of 3 Degrees of Global Warming on
Australia) Bill 2019
This bill is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the
international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.
Overview of the bill
The Morrison government's climate change targets of a 26-28% reduction on 2005 emissions by
2030 is consistent with 3 degrees or more of global warming.
Three degrees of global warming will be a disaster for Australia and the rest of the world, leading to
widespread desertification, ocean acidification and sea level rise which will lead to mass starvation,
dislocation and conflict. There is also a substantial risk that such a temperature rise will cross
crucial cascading tipping points in the climate system, leading to further catastrophic warming and
an existential threat to civilisation.
It is crucial that the Commonwealth and the Australian government is provided detailed and
specific advice on the impacts on Australia of the 3 degrees of warming envisaged by the
government's current climate policy.
The Bill requires the Climate Change Authority to conduct a review on the impact on Australian
society, economy and environment of three degrees of global warming, which is the current level of
warming that consistent with targets currently adopted by the Commonwealth.
The result of the review must be provided to the Minister by July 1 2020 and published at the same
time.
Human rights implications
This bill does not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms, other than to promote the safety
and wellbeing of people by helping to ensure a safe climate.
Conclusion
This bill is compatible with human rights because it does not otherwise raise any human rights
issues.
Adam Bandt MP