FED:Australia 'left behind' after Cancun deal

AAP General News (Australia)
12-11-2010
FED:Australia 'left behind' after Cancun deal

SYDNEY, Dec 11 AAP - Australia risks being left behind the emerging low pollution economy
as the UN climate conference deal in Cancun cements a multi-billion dollar industry, campaigners
say.

A host of agreements including plans to create a "green" fund for developing countries
have set the stage for Australia's 2011 year of action, campaigners say.

But the Climate Institute warned the nation could be left behind unless it invests
more in low pollution technology to improve the country's efficiency.

The country could attract more green industries by setting caps on emissions and doing
more in terms of carbon trading, the institute added on Saturday.

While welcoming the deal in Cancun, the institute called on Australia to seize the initiative.

"This is the first time we've seen the US together with China and all other major emitters
anchoring their national pollution targets in a formal UN agreement - the significance
of this should not be underestimated," a spokesman told AAP on Saturday.

"Without a domestic pollution limit and price, Australia can't cooperate fully internationally
as it cannot meet the commitments made in Cancun. Without a domestic pollution price we
will continue to be left behind by countries dominating the emerging low pollution economy;
the agreements at Cancun leave no excuse for inaction in 2011.

"A limit and price on pollution remains central to our economic prosperity and without
domestic action in 2011 Australia risks being left behind the emerging low pollution economy
which has received a boost from the Cancun outcome."

AAP tcm/msk

KEYWORD: CLIMATE CANCUN AUST

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