UQ Business School academic Associate Professor Andrew Griffiths argues the Federal Budget has little to offer from a climate-friendly point of view.
Dr Griffiths said the Government’s Budget proposed to spend $741 million over the next five years to address broad sustainability and climate change issues.
“The centrepiece of the climate change initiatives is the rebate for solar cells for domestic users and money for the establishment of a climate change centre," he said.
“From a climate-friendly business point of view, the Budget has little to offer.
“It would appear that ‘climate change’ and the broader issue of ‘sustainability’ has taken a back seat in line with the Government’s desire to spin its economic credentials.”
Dr Griffiths said he anticipated the Government would wait for the report from their business task force on emissions trading before announcing further spending on climate change.
He said: “A significant opportunity has been missed to announce new initiatives on things like rebates for new low emissions technology; to encourage research endeavours on climate change – mitigation and adaptation; to encourage greater electricity infrastructure development with a view to reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and further incentives for business to implement energy efficiency projects.”
For more information contact Cathy Stacey on (07) 3365 6179 or 0434 074 372.
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