PM refuses to set target for carbon emissions

energy

Prime Minister John Howard has refused to set targets for carbon emissions when the issue was raised at today's meeting of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG).
The premiers had called for a target of a 60 per cent reduction by 2050.
Mr Howard says he will not commit to any targets before seeing the results of a federal task force on carbon emissions, which is due next month.
"We were unwilling, for reasons I've stated publicly, to commit to a particular target because of the possible consequences of that on the economy, especially on jobs," he said.
South Australian Premier Mike Rann says carbon emission targets are an important part of addressing climate change.
"Unless you have targets in terms of reducing emissions, then basically you're flying blind," he said.
"What you really need with targets, you need the targets to act as a road to action, something to aim at and something to reach."
Victorian Premier Steve Bracks has also expressed disappointment that a carbon emissions trading scheme agreement has not been reached.
He says the Prime Minister has missed a big chance to address climate change.
"I think today was a good day, today was a day in which we achieved about 8.1 of the 10-point plan, but it could have been a great day," he said.
"It wasn't a great day because clearly there was an omission in relation to a significant addressing of climate change in this country and the architecture for an admissions trading scheme, which needs to be in place as soon as possible."
Western Australian Premier Alan Carpenter says the Federal Government is not moving fast enough to address climate change.
"The community, business, people, want us to move faster on climate change," he said.
"The states have agreed to an emissions trading model by the end of 2010 and I don't accept the argument that you shouldn't set targets.
"I believe you should be setting targets and deadlines because you need to stimulate people into action."
Meanwhile, ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope has welcomed Commonwealth decision to build a national centre in Canberra to look at the impact of climate change.
The Federal Government will spend $170 million on the Climate Change Adaptation Centre, which will investigate the effects on coastlines and the atmosphere.
Mr Stanhope applauded the Prime Minister's announcement, saying Canberra is the logical location for the centre.
"Your significant contribution to adaptation and an understanding of the effects and implications of climate change for Australia," he said.
"I look forward very much to the establishment of the Climate Change Adaptation Centre and look forward very much to it being located in the national capital."
In the meeting with the Prime Minister in Canberra today, state and territory leaders have agreed to a number of reforms, including establishing a national doctor accreditation program and a plan to tackle diabetes.
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