11/11/2021

(AU ABC) Australia Scores Zero On Climate Policy In Latest Climate Change Performance Index

ABC NewsMichael Doyle

Despite the Prime Minister announcing a commitment to net zero by 2050, Australia's climate policy has been ranked the worst by the CCPI. (ABC News: Adam Kennedy)

Key Points
  • The CCPI is released every year and ranks countries in four categories
  • Overall, Australia was ranked as one of the worst-performing countries
  • Australia received a rating of "very low" in all four categories, the worst ranking
Australia's latest climate policies are failing to "take advantage of its potential" and rank last among nations in the latest Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI).

The annual rankings — published by German-based advocacy group Germanwatch — rank the performance of 63 nations and the European Union on greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy, energy use and climate policy.

The performance index is measured by consulting experts in each country, according to the organisation, and evaluates each country's progress working towards goals in the Paris Agreement.

Australia ranked 55th, overall, but was dead last in climate policy, the only country to receive no score in that category.

In its assessment, Australia received a "very low" rating across the board and was "trailing many developed economies".

"The government does not have any policies on phasing out coal or gas, but CCUS [carbon capture, utilisation and storage] and hydrogen are being promoted as low-emissions technologies," the report said.

"Even though the renewables electricity is growing, the experts believe that Australia has failed to take advantage of its potential, and other countries have outpaced it."

The CCPI report notes that Australia's climate policy does not phase out coal nor gas. (Reuters: Jason Lee)

Last month Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Australia would commit to net zero by 2050, after negotiating with the Nationals.

Mr Morrison said the federal government would invest more than $20 billion by the end of the decade developing low-emissions technologies.

The plan prioritises "clean" hydrogen, "ultra-low-cost solar", battery storage of renewable power and carbon capture and storage, however there are questions around the viability of these technologies.

Australia dropped four places in its overall ranking, compared to 2020, and was ranked as "very low" in every category in the CCPI.
The plan for net zero
The government has committed to reaching net zero by 2050, and says it is on track to beat its 2030 emissions targets. But what will it take to turn Australia green? Read more

Renewable energy was Australia's best-performing category, ranking 49th, one spot ahead of the United States, but was still failing to promote new technologies according to the report.

"The country's lack of domestic ambition and action has made its way to the international stage," the report said.

"The experts describe that the country's international standing has been damaged by climate denialism by politicians, refusal to increase ambition, and refusal to recommit to international green finance mechanisms.

"Australia has fallen behind its allies and its inaction even attracted public criticism in the run-up to COP26."

No country in the report received an overall rating of "very high", which led to the report not ranking any counties first, second or third.

Denmark received the best overall score, climbing two places from the 2020 report, and replacing Sweden in the top spot.

The Netherlands and Greece were the greatest improvers over the previous 12 months, both climbing 10 spots to be ranked 19th and 24th respectively.

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