Joint Media Release
Friday, 24 October 2003
Minister for Foreign Affairs, The Hon Alexander Downer MP and Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Dr David Kemp
Australia - China Bilateral Cooperation on Climate Change
The Australian Minister for the Environment and Heritage, David Kemp, and the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, today welcomed the progress on collaboration between China and Australia on climate change.
Officials from Australia and China held a workshop in Beijing in September where they agreed on a Joint Declaration on Bilateral Cooperation on Climate Change, which sets out cooperation in the following areas:
- Climate change policies
- Climate change impacts and adaptation
- National communications (greenhouse gas inventories and projections)
- Technology cooperation
- Capacity building and public awareness
"Today's announcement reinforces Australia's commitment to practical action and strong international engagement on climate change," Dr Kemp said.
"It recognises that climate change is a serious issue for Australia and China and both countries will benefit from working together on it.
"We began work on inventory and projections issues, and on emissions from land use, and I welcome the potential for expanding our cooperation on climate change."
Mr Downer said pursuing an effective global response to climate change is an important international objective for Australia.
"China is an important partner for Australia in many areas and closer engagement on climate change is a positive development," Mr Downer said.
Australian and Chinese industry representatives participated in the discussions at the Beijing workshop, reinforcing the critical role industry had to play in addressing climate change.
A Joint Declaration on Bilateral Cooperation on Climate Change with China is anticipated to deliver trade benefits since China is a large potential market for Australian greenhouse technologies, products and expertise.
Dr Kemp said the Joint Declaration with China reflects Australia's commitment and pro-active approach to addressing climate change at bilateral, multilateral regional as well as domestic levels.
"Australia's own greenhouse programs are expected to deliver annual emissions abatement of 67 million tonnes by 2008-2012 – the equivalent to taking all today's cars, trucks and buses off the road. Without these measures, greenhouse emissions would have been 123 per cent of the 1990 level by the end of the decade," he said.
The latest projections analysis shows Australia is on track to meet its 108 per cent target agreed to at Kyoto. On current measures, Australia will reach around 110 per cent of 1990 greenhouse emissions levels by the end of the decade and the Howard Government is currently developing a climate change forward strategy to help bridge the gap to the Kyoto target and position Australia for the longer term.
The Joint Declaration on Australia-China Bilateral Cooperation on Climate Change and background information on Australia's broader bilateral climate change partnerships is attached.
Media contacts: Nicky Deitz (Dr Kemp) 02 6277 7640, Chris Kenny (Mr Downer) 02 6277 7500