The Australian
By: Christian Kerr
Kevin Rudd has described climate change as the overarching national challenge, in his closing address to the 2020 Summit.
Climate change and sustainability emerged as key subjects for discussion across a range of themes over the weekend, with impacts for the economy, agriculture, health and national security.
"Australia faces an unprecedented challenge from climate change,'' delegates stated. "We have a brief opportunity to act now to safeguard and shape our future prosperity.''
They have called for Australia to have the world's leading green and sustainable economy by 2020, working to firm targets to reduce the national environmental footprint while growing the economy and improving quality of life.
Delegates see an Australia in 2020 with environmental considerations fully integrated into economic decision-making, at household, business and government levels. They hope an emissions-trading scheme and a suite of complementary measures will drive a low-carbon revolution.
They have also called for resilient and innovative water systems that will reduce dependence on climate-sensitive water reserves in towns and cities, and measures to improve the health of ecological systems.
Delegates urged the creation of a national sustainability, population and climate change agenda supported by robust institutions.
They called for a federal government-led national cities program to reduce emissions, preserve water and encourage public transport, along with standards to ensure all buildings constructed after 2020 were carbon neutral.
There were also calls to give all Australians access to tools needed to measure and manage their individual carbon footprints, including smart meters for energy and water consumption.
Delegates clashed over the issues of coal and carbon capture and storage.
There were disagreements on support for clean coal over renewable energy sources and the commercial feasibility of geosequestration of carbon emissions. Some attendees also pushed for a ban on new coal-fired power stations.
WWF chief executive Greg Bourne said: "The weight of opinion for coal-fired stations without carbon capture and storage, I think you would find, is incredibly low.''
Climate Change Minister Penny Wong, however, refused to put the matter to a vote, saying other issues had been decided by consensus.
Nuclear energy appeared to be too controversial to rate more than the most cursory mention in debate.
Delegates called for a new dialogue with Aboriginal Australians on climate change, water and sustainability challenges and the establishment of a National Indigenous Knowledge Centre.
They also urged action to support better energy use in low-income homes to tackle issues raised by poor insulation and old, inefficient appliances.