Page 289 - Week 01 - Thursday, 11 December 2008

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(c) Australia is a signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and that the most recent Conference of the Parties agreed that emissions reductions of 25-40% will be necessary by 2020 (compared to 1990 levels); and

(d) the scientific understanding of climate change is evolving rapidly, and the ACT Climate Change Strategy and its greenhouse gas reduction target should be responsive to the best available scientific knowledge and experience to contribute to a safe climate outcome;

(2) resolves that the Standing Committee on Climate Change, Environment and Water inquire into and report on:

(a) an appropriate target to be established in legislation, including:

(i) an appropriate date for the peaking of greenhouse gas emissions in the ACT;

(ii) an appropriate target for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the ACT by 2012; and

(iii) an appropriate target for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the ACT by 2020;

(b) appropriate monitoring, reporting and review processes to accompany the target; and

(i) the efficacy of existing programs within the current ACT Climate Change Strategy Weathering the Change, and the need for additional programs in the Strategy;

(ii) the ACT’s future energy supplies, taking account of the draft ACT Government Energy Strategy due to be published in late 2008 and options for sourcing or producing sufficient renewable energy to meet the needs of the ACT;

(iii) climate change impacts on the sustainability of existing ecological communities;

(iv) social equity and economic issues, costs and opportunities in achieving this target;

(v) the relationship between the ACT’s legislated target and policy and measures agreed to and implemented at a national level;

(vi) the acceptability of local and offshore offsets;

(vii) the need to ensure that the ACT does not transfer its greenhouse emissions to other jurisdictions;

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