This content was published on March 30, 2023 – 06:36
minutes
Sydney (Australia), Mar 30 (EFE) .
The “Safeguard Mechanism” law will impose emissions caps on the country’s 215 most polluting companies, including Santos, BHP, Anglo Coal, Woodside, Chevron and Rio Tinto, which are responsible for 30 percent of Australia’s emissions. .
This law, which establishes a “hard” limit on emissions, will force these 215 companies to reduce them by 4.9 percent each year until 2030 or to acquire carbon credits.
This translates into a reduction of 205 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, which is equivalent to removing two thirds of the cars that circulate in the oceanic country, according to a statement published today by the Minister of Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen.
“Today is a historic day for the country to ensure that our economy can seize the opportunities of decarbonisation and meet our ambitious climate targets,” said Minister Bowen, adding that these reforms will “safeguard” the economy, the climate and the environment. Australian future.
The law was approved under an agreement last Monday with the Green Party, which wanted new coal and gas projects to be banned in principle, as well as the support of independent lawmakers.
The Greens later agreed to set a “firm” gross emissions quota that means the country will not be able to exceed current pollution levels of 140 million tons a year, a condition they say would make more than a hundred new hydrocarbons are unfeasible.
The “Safeguard Mechanism” law was passed during the government of Liberal Tony Abbott in 2016 with caps well above the regular emissions of the most polluting companies, which increased.
The Australian Government has committed – by law – to reduce polluting emissions by 43 percent by the year 2030, compared to 2005, which is equivalent to 205 million tons of carbon less, before reaching emissions neutrality for the 2050.
The fight against climate change was one of the pillars of Albanese’s victory, in the May 2022 elections, which ended nine years of management by the Liberal-National coalition, defender of the exploitation of coal and other fossil fuels.
The Conservative coalition, which in 2014 repealed a pioneering tax passed in Australia under Julia Gillard’s Labor government, believes the law will contribute to soaring energy prices and a drain on investment from companies that exploit fossil fuels. .EFE
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