Former Socceroos Captain Wants Australia To Show Climate Leadership As World Cup Host

RenewEconomy - Michael Mazengarb

Craig Foster: World Cup an opportunity to further the climate change agenda in sport globally. Image Australasian Leisure

Former Socceroos captain Craig Foster has called on Australia to show its ability to be a leader in climate change action as host of the 2023 Womens World Cup.

Australia and New Zealand recently succeeded in winning hosting rights for the 2023 women’s World Cup, which will see 32 countries compete in the tournament across the two countries, with a global audience approaching 300 million people.

Foster, who played 29 games for the Socceroos between 1996 and 2000, included the call for a ‘Green World Cup’ in a letter to the Football Federation of Australia, saying that as host of the 2023 women’s world cup, Australia would have a global platform to encourage increased global action on climate change.

“Like the reference to proposed event conferences on gender equality and women’s rights, so too might the World Cup be characterised as an opportunity to further the climate change agenda in sport globally, and make a major contribution to the world,” Foster wrote.

“The majority of Australians wish to see action and a green World Cup would have ramifications for all commercial partnerships for the event, not only the energy sector category, an approach which might positively affect not just competing players, who may become champions of the human condition, but the national, and global audience forecast to be in the billions,” the letter adds.

In the letter, Foster noted that Australia has itself been significantly impacted by a warming climate, including a severe bushfire season that devastated communities across the most recent Australian summer and that the world cup would be held in a Pacific region facing a damaging future under climate change.

“The 2023 FIFA World Cup in Australia (and New Zealand) should use every opportunity to amplify the urgency of the global challenge, particularly after the summer that Australia just endured with the destruction of tens of millions hectares of precious biodiversity, not to mention human life,” Foster’s letter said.

“Further, not only is Australia at the frontline of environmental consequences and our indigenous peoples disproportionately affected, but our Pacific neighbours and members of the Oceania Football Confederation, which is co-hosting the event, are facing a devastating future ravaged by changing weather systems.”

Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie endorsed the call, saying the global audience that the women’s world cup would attract would be a unique opportunity for Australia to demonstrate it can exhibit some leadership on climate change.

“Craig Foster is absolutely right in saying that climate change should be front and centre of the 2023 World Cup,” McKenzie said.

“The Women’s World Cup is an opportunity for Australia to show global leadership on climate change. It’s in our interest to do this. We only have to look at the summer’s catastrophic bushfires and the bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef to see the toll climate change is taking on Australia.”

MCG with Melbourne skyline. 

Australia was previously unsuccessful in a bid to host the 2022 men’s world cup, a bid that it ultimately lost to Qatar.

Ironically, in addition to claims of corruption in the bidding process, and the use of modern slavery in infrastructure construction, the Qatar world cup has faced criticism for its plans to host a global football tournament in a country where temperatures regularly exceed 45 degrees Celsius.

Stadiums built for the world cup in Qatar will feature air-conditioning facilities built into stadium seating to account for the high temperatures, raising questions around the level of energy consumption required for the tournament, particularly in a country rich with gas.

Links

• Climate change: Sport heading for a fall as temperatures rise
• Cancelled races, fainting players: How climate change is affecting sport
• Sport & Climate Impacts: How much heat can sport handle (pdf)?
• Climate Change Threatens Future Of Sports
• Climate Change: Sport Heading For A Fall As Temperatures Rise
• Climate Crisis Threatens Future Of Global Sport, Says Report
• Opinion: The Climate Crisis – Sport Is Both Victim And Sinner
• Climate Change Set To Disrupt Australia's Summer Sports Calendar
• ‘We Can’t Play When Our Fields Are Flooded’: How Climate Change Will Impact Sport In Australia
• Cricket Is Natural Choice To Be A World Leader On Climate Change
• Warming World May Put Most Cities Off-Limits For Summer Olympics

(AU) Net Zero Emissions By 2050 Push Is On, Whether The Federal Government Follows Or Not

ABC News - Rachel Pupazzoni

Energy Australia and AGL both say they are on track to be carbon neutral by 2050. (ABC Gippsland: Jarrod Whittaker)

Key points Central banks warn that failing to reach net zero could wipe 25pc off GDP by the end of the century Energy giant AGL and super fund Hesta are both pursuing the goal of net zero emissions by 2050 The Federal Government says it is committed to net zero emissions "in the second half of the century"

The chorus from the business and finance community aligning itself with a net zero carbon emissions target by 2050 is reaching a crescendo.

The Reserve Bank of Australia and 65 of its peers recently released a report, warning that failing to slash emissions to zero could wipe 25 per cent off global GDP by the end of the century.

"If we ignore the risks, the potential economic costs and financial risks that we see could be catastrophic," said Sarah Breeden, the author of the Network for Greening the Financial System report and executive director for UK Deposit Takers Supervision at the Bank of England.

In its modelling, the central bankers' report said if emissions reductions schemes were implemented now and became more aggressive over time, the hit to GDP could be reduced to closer to 4 per cent by 2070.

"If we act now, there is a good chance that we might keep global warming to well below 2 degrees [Celsius]," Ms Breeden said.

The warning from the world's top bankers is being echoed by the business community.


The risk of hitting an economic wall (Rachel Pupazzoni)

Big emitters target zero

Australia's largest and oldest energy provider, and the country's biggest carbon emitter, AGL Energy, has set a net zero emissions target by 2050 and it is tying its executives' long-term bonuses to that goal.

"For executives to access that long-term bonus scheme they have to both be profitable, invest profitably and get there in a more sustainable way," AGL's chief executive Brett Redman told The Business.

"So, this is about a set of goals that are about being profitable and reducing carbon, not profitable or reducing carbon."

Its customers will also be able to offset emissions from the power they buy.

"Every time a customer buys electricity from us, they'll have the option to take up a carbon-neutral product with it and, by 30 June next year, it's going to be company policy that every product and service you buy from AGL will come with a carbon-neutral option."

The Australian Energy Council, which represents 24 major electricity and downstream natural gas businesses, including AGL, has also pinned its stripes to net zero emissions by 2050.

"Our members have long accepted the science of climate change and the need to decarbonise the economy," said AEC chief executive Sarah McNamara.

The AEC is calling for clear direction about a path to reach that goal.

"We have consistently argued for well-designed, market-based and stable national policy settings around which our members can invest."

Government targeting net zero after 2050

Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor was not available for an interview, but his office issued a statement reaffirming the Federal Government's climate change policy.

"The Government has a very clear 2030 emissions reduction target and we have a joint global commitment through the Paris agreement to deliver net zero emissions in the second half of the century," the statement read.

"The Government's technology investment roadmap will play an important role in reducing emissions, creating new jobs and supporting Australia's COVID-19 economic recovery."

One of Australia's biggest industry super funds, Hesta, will cut the carbon emissions in its investment portfolio by 33 per cent by 2030, with a target to reach net zero by 2050.

The head of the $52 billion fund, Debby Blakey, said it was about managing the risks of climate change while delivering returns for members.

Hesta chief executive Debby Blakey says her fund needs "policy certainty" to guide its long-term investments. (Supplied: Hesta)

"Climate change is a very real risk, a material financial risk, and it needs urgent action," she said.

"We would like to see more certainty in terms of Federal Government policy.

"That's important for a fund like Hesta because government is an enabler of the environment that we invest in, and if we're going to invest in long-term investments that support that transition to a low carbon economy, it's incredibly important that we have policy certainty."

Big emitters face small returns

Even without a government-mandated price on carbon emissions in Australia, energy companies have not been delivering for shareholders.

An examination of stock market performance by The Australia Institute, supplied exclusively to The Business, reveals the energy sector was the worst performer in the Australian stock market since 2010.

"Fossil fuels have not only damaged the climate over the last decade, but have damaged most Australians' superannuation savings," said Richie Merzian, director of the institute's climate and energy program.

"If you had invested $100 in the energy sector, which is fossil fuel company-dominated, at the start of the decade, you'd have $104 at the start of this year."

Its calculations show that investing that same $100 in an ASX 300 company that was not an energy stock would have delivered an average return of $237.

Energy has underperformed every other sector of the ASX 300 since 2010. (Supplied: The Australia Institute/S&P data)

In the first quarter of this year, when the coronavirus crisis saw markets crash in late March, Australian energy stocks lost twice as much value as the broader ASX 300.

Energy stocks were hit twice as hard during the coronavirus crash in the first three months of 2020. (Supplied: The Australia Institute)

"It would come as a surprise to most Australians, who are exposed to indexed funds through their superannuation, they would have had a hit to it because of these fossil fuel companies," said Mr Merzian.

"Many large superannuation companies and a growing number of banks are all divesting."

Lighting the city green

The council running the heart of Australia's biggest city has joined the net zero by 2050 movement.

The City of Sydney's buildings and infrastructure are now entirely run on renewable electricity.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore says the city will save $500,000 a year through its new renewable energy contracts. (ABC News: John Gunn)

"We'll be reducing our emissions by 20,000 tonnes — it's equivalent to 8,000 local households," said Lord Mayor Clover Moore.

The power is being sourced from solar and windfarms in regional New South Wales.

"While we're making a really significant contribution to reducing emissions and addressing climate change, we're also providing jobs in regional NSW, which is helping with that transition away from coal to renewable electricity," she added.

Ms Moore said cutting carbon was not just about pollution.

"There is so much evidence there now to show that it would be in the interest of not just environmentally but also economically."

She said the 10-year electricity supply contract would save ratepayers $500,000 a year, every year of the contract.

She is imploring all levels of government to make similar changes.

"It's really important that we move beyond the talk and into the action, whether it's changing our street lights, changing your fleet, or changing your buildings — these are all things that different levels of government can take action on," she said.

Links
10 years of climate policy inertia

Gas-fired path to COVID recovery?

(AU) The World Endured 2 Extra Heatwave Days Per Decade Since 1950 – But The Worst Is Yet To Come

The Conversation - Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick

Shutterstock

Author Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick is an ARC Future Fellow, UNSW. Her work focuses on Australian climate extremes, including trends in droughts and heat waves.

The term “heatwave” is no stranger to Australians. Defined as when conditions are excessively hot for at least three days in a row, these extreme temperature events have always punctuated our climate.

With many of us in the thick of winter dreaming of warmer days, it’s important to remember how damaging heatwaves can be.

In 2009, the heatwave that preceded Black Saturday killed 374 people. The economic impact on Australia’s workforce from heatwaves is US$6.2 billion a year (almost AU$9 billion). And just last summer, extreme temperature records tumbled, contributing to Australia’s unprecedented bushfire season.


What are heatwaves?

Our new study – the first worldwide assessment of heatwaves at the regional scale – found heatwaves have become longer and more frequent since 1950. And worryingly, we found this trend has accelerated.

We also examined a new metric: “cumulative heat”. This measures how much extra heat a heatwave can contribute, and the new perspective is eye-opening.

What is ‘extra heat’?

In southeast Australia’s worst heatwave season in 2009, we endured an extra heat of 80℃. Let’s explore what that means.

For a day to qualify as being part of a heatwave, a recorded temperature should exceed an officially declared “heatwave threshold”.

And cumulative heat is generally when the temperature above that threshold across all heatwave days are added up.

Let’s say, for example, a particular location had a heatwave threshold of around 30℃. The “extra heat” on a day where temperatures reach 35℃ would be 5℃. If the heatwave lasted for three days, and all days reached 35℃, then the cumulative heat for that event would be 15℃.

Another decade, another heatwave day

We found almost every global region has experienced a significant increase in heatwave frequency since 1950. For example, southern Australia has experienced, on average, one extra heatwave day per decade since 1950.

However, other regions have experienced much more rapid increases. The Mediterranean has seen approximately 2.5 more heatwave days per decade, while the Amazon rainforest has seen an extra 5.5 more heatwave days per decade since 1950.

The global average sits at approximately two extra heatwave days per decade.

The last 20 years saw the worst heatwave seasons

Since the 1950s, almost all regions experienced significant increases in the extra heat generated by heatwaves.

Over northern and southern Australia, the excess heat from heatwaves has increased by 2-3℃ per decade. This is similar to other regions, such as western North America, the Amazon and the global average.

Alaska, Brazil and West Asia, however, have cumulative heat trends of a massive 4-5℃ per decade. And, for the vast majority of the world, the worst seasons occurred in the last 20 years.

In the heatwave before Black Saturday, 374 people died. Shutterstock

We also examined whether heatwaves were changing at a constant rate, or were speeding up or slowing down. With the exception of average intensity, we found heatwave trends have not only increased, but have accelerated since the 1950s.

Don’t be fooled by the maths

Interestingly, average heatwave intensity showed little – if any – changes since 1950. But before we all breathe a sigh of relief, this is not because climate change has stopped, or because heatwaves aren’t getting any warmer. It’s the result of a mathematical quirk.

Since we’re seeing more heatwaves – which we found are also generally getting longer – there are more days to underpin the average intensity. While all heatwave days must exceed a relative extreme threshold, some days will exceed this threshold to a lesser extent than others. This brings the overall average down.

When we look at changes in cumulative heat, however, there’s just no denying it. Extra heat – not the average – experienced in almost all regions, is what can have adverse impacts on our health, infrastructure and ecosystems.

The Amazon has endured 5.5 more heatwave days per decade since 1950. Shutterstock

Like nothing we’ve experienced before

While the devastating impacts of heatwaves are clear, it has been difficult to consistently measure changes in heatwaves across the globe. Previous studies have assessed regional heatwave trends, but data constraints and the spectrum of different heatwave metrics available have made it hard to compare regional changes in heatwaves.

Our study has closed this gap, and clearly shows heatwaves are on the rise. We are seeing more of them and they are generating more heat at an increasing pace.

While Australia may be no stranger to heatwaves in the past, those we see in the future under these accelerating trends will certainly be foreign.

For example, a 2014 study found that depending on where you are in Australia, anywhere between 15 and 50 extra heatwave days will occur by 2100 compared to the second half of the 20th century.

We can still abate those trends if we work collectively, effectively and urgently to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

Links

Anatomy of a heatwave: how Antarctica recorded a 20.75°C day last month
Climate change: 40°C summer temperatures could be common in UK by 2100
We've learned a lot about heatwaves, but we're still just warming up