Below is a submission I just completed in response to the "Advancing Climate Action in Queensland" discussion paper released by the Queensland Government. I used the Environmental Defenders Office short submission template as a bit of a guide.
Many thanks to Franziska Curran for comments.
Dear Minister Miles
Submission on discussion paper: Advancing Climate Action in Queensland
I would like to congratulate the Queensland Government for taking this step forward in implementing climate change policy in Queensland and for moving to reinstate vegetation clearing controls to limit emissions. I am grateful for the opportunity to make this submission on this discussion paper.
As a recent graduate of the Master of Energy Studies program at the University of Queensland, I have extensively studied climate and energy policy, both on a subnational and international level. Having lived most of my life in Queensland, I am excited to have the opportunity to use my skills and expertise to shape the future of my home state.
I commend the focus on emissions reductions through proper land management, and providing support to the agriculture sector to be a part of the state’s emissions reductions.
My primary concern with the discussion paper is the continued refusal of the state to take responsibility (whole or part) for the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from exported coal and gas (page 21). The current rhetoric of placing responsibility of developing countries, and using the “drug dealer’s excuse” of saying that the coal and gas will simply be bought elsewhere, is a point of view that I find morally untenable and ultimately in opposition to the goal of decarbonising the global economy.
The role of coal fired power in development is a hugely complicated issue, but it is by no means the be-all and end-all of energy poverty. In 2013 the World Bank ceased funding coal fired power projects[i], and although coal fired power will be a feature of development regimes for many years to come, Queensland could play a much more significant role in exporting ideas, rather than emissions[ii]. Much of the recent coal price slump is due to stagnating demand, and increased export capacity[iii]. Queensland should be playing no role in subsidising heavily polluting energy to the developing world, when we can provide viable alternatives. Our state has a high level of historical emissions, and therefore has a moral imperative to take a strong leadership role in curbing global emissions[iv].
That said, I think more emphasis should be placed upon the distinction between thermal and metallurgical coal, and greater effort should be made to communicate this distinction to the public. This is an important issue due to the marked differences between the two industries, which require different policy treatment.
Minister, I implore you to seize the challenge to take urgent action on climate change, and help transform Queensland into a world leader, and a shining example to other states and nations. It is of the utmost importance to current and future generations that warming remains below 1.5 degrees. At current emissions, there are only 5 years until we have used up our carbon budget[v], and Queensland has a multitude of opportunities to achieve significant emissions reductions and even negative emissions. Therefore, I request that you:
- Set a clear and binding framework, with strong and binding emissions targets and monitoring
- Stop supporting fossil fuels, and the construction of new coal mines, and support just transitions for affected communities
- Strengthen support for renewable energy, demand management, and energy efficiency
- Reduce emissions through transport planning and vegetation protection, and protect our coast
- Cease the rhetoric around coal for development, and take a stronger leadership approach on this issue by promoting and providing clean technologies that will prevent the suffering of future generations from the effects of catastrophic climate change.
This is an issue of great importance to current, and future generations. It is an issue which Queensland has both the opportunity, and the moral imperative, to become a world leader on. Therefore, I urge you to consider the above points, and do all in your power to meet the goal of rapidly reducing Queensland’s emissions and supporting our fast uptake of clean energy.
Yours sincerely,
David Olley
M. Energy Studies, BSc. Phys. (hons), Chem
[i] https://theconversation.com/world-bank-kicks-coal-but-will-the-rest-of-the-world-follow-16392
[ii] https://theconversation.com/australia-should-export-more-ideas-and-fewer-greenhouse-emissions-34236
[iii] Steckel, J. C., Edenhofer, O., & Jakob, M. (2015). Drivers for the renaissance of coal. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(29), E3775–E3781. doi:10.1073/pnas.1422722112
[iv] Collier, P., & Venables, a. J. (2015). Closing coal: economic and moral incentives. Oxford Review of Economic Policy, 30(3), 492–512. doi:10.1093/oxrep/gru024
[v] https://www.mcc-berlin.net/en/press-release-detail/article/the-challenges-of-limiting-climate-change-to-15c.html