We must take immediate businesslike action to limit climate change to
2 degrees C, not for ourselves, but for future generations.
- Richard McNeall
CSIRO points to a 2 degree target. June 20, 2007
... and large scale emissions reductions.
In its submission to the Prime Minister's Task Group on Emissions Trading www.dpmc.gov.au/climate_change/emissionstrading/submissions/142_sub_emissionstrading.pdfthe CSIRO pointed to 2 degrees C as a possible climate change target, consistent with the European Union Environment Council's proposed policy to prevent a global mean temperature increase of more then 2 degrees C.
The submission analyses published research to determine that a 450 ppmv limit on greenhouse gas concentration would be necessary to (probably) limit global warming to 2 degrees C.
The submission also notes that most of the literature indicates a required 60-90% emissions reduction by 2050 for developed countries.
This places Labor's 60% target at the "soft" end of the range, and the Greens' 80% close to mid range. The fact that the "hard" end of the emissions reduction range is beyond the policy of any party (including Conservatives for Climate and Environment) is a reminder of how little room for complacency there is !
