Australian Capital Territory Aims to be Carbon Neutral by 2060
Australia's smallest self-governing internal territory, the Australian Capital Territory has announced plans to enact tough energy laws on greenhouse gas emissions.
The territory says its Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Bill 2010 will aim to reduce carbon emissions by 40% of its 1990 levels by 2020. The cuts would rise to 80% by 2050, and by 2060 the bill calls for the territory to be carbon neutral.
Simon Corbell, the Australian Capital Territory's Minister for the Environment Climate Change and Water, explained the plan will focus on reducing emissions through increasing renewable energy capacity as well as energy efficiency in homes and businesses.
The Australian national government has come under increasing scrutiny from its constituents for failing to act on climate change by enacting new energy legislation. This issue was one of the largest factors leading to both major political parties, Labour and Liberal, failing to secure a majority government in last week's national election.
In light of the national situation, Corbell says, "Governments have a responsibility to act on this issue."
Read the full story at Reuters: Australia's capital sets 40 percent carbon cut law
Image credit: The Emirr
Nathanael Baker is the Managing Editor of EnergyBoom. He has researched and reported on the issues of renewable energy, sustainability, and climate change for over two years. He has provided research to the New York Times and The Economist, as well as being published on different media outlets including, The Energy Collective.
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