The Australia clause paved the way for new laws restricting land clearing,which delivered emissions reduction that enabled other polluting industries to carry on with business as usual.
NSW Farmers Federation president James Jackson said the new restrictions were “morally reprehensible” and would not be tolerated again.
“The bush has done enough,we’ve carried the bill for the country’s social conscience.”
David Littleproud
US President Joe Biden isconvening an international climate summit next week,on April 22,raising expectations Australia may announce a new emissions reduction commitment in response to international pressure.
“(Kyoto-era laws) satisfied the emissions targets by stealing property rights of farmers,” said Mr Jackson,a Guyra livestock producer. “Another land grab which outsources the pain to agriculture is not acceptable – we aren’t going to be the fall guy for the carbon gods again.”
Mr Howard used federal funding to entice state governments to change their laws to restrict land clearing. Farmers who bought properties with the expectation of clearing land to expand livestock or beef operations were fuming,while others argued their long term expansion plans were denied.
The Kyoto protocol required Australia to limit its emissions to an eight per cent rise over the 22 years from a baseline of 1990 to 2012. The scale of reduction delivered by avoided land clearing meant Australia’s emissions from burning fossil fuels could increase by 25 per cent over the 22 years to 2012,while the country’s overall emissions remained under 8pc.