Sydney (Australia), 8 Dec. Australia will strengthen its environmental laws to protect its ecosystems, as well as plant and animal species that are in danger of extinction, while improving the management of its natural resources, the country’s Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek announced Thursday . .
“Our reforms aim to turn the tide in this country: from destroying nature to restoring it,” the labor minister said, in a statement announcing a plan to reform the ocean country’s 1999 environmental law.
The proposal includes the implementation of new binding national standards, as well as the creation of an independent environmental protection agency which will have the power to decide on the management of important natural resources such as water and gas, which are essential for the Australian economy.
This environmental protection agency “will be responsible for project evaluation, decisions and subsequent approvals,” according to a document detailing this plan posted on the official website.
Similarly, the Australian government – which plans to introduce the relevant bill in mid-2023 – plans to accelerate decisions on the development of business projects, as well as joint work with Indigenous Australians.
The plan also calls for the creation of a three-level map, which function like traffic lights, to designate areas of protection, restoration and sustainable development in their territories, which include immense forest areas which are habitats for unique animals such as koalas. .
“Nature is being destroyed. Businesses are waiting too long to make decisions. This is bad for everyone. Things have to change,” said Plibersek in the statement, whose Labor Party won the election last May with a strong pledge against the climate crisis and environmental protection.
Since then, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government has legislated its increased pledge to cut pollutant emissions to 43% by 2030 (previously 28%) and zero emissions by 2050.
Similarly, the current Australian government has pledged to protect 30% of its land and sea by 2030 and end the extinction of plant and animal species, which have been affected by human development and exacerbated natural disasters from the climate crisis.
Today’s proposal comes in response to an independent review report on the 1999 environmental law commissioned three years ago by the former Liberal-National coalition government.
The report was delivered in October 2020 to then Prime Minister Scott Morrison, a strong supporter of the coal industry, one of the oceanic country’s top exporting stars and key to energy production for much of Australia. EFE extension
wat/esj/gcf
