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Energy policy issues are now on MEFL's advocacy blog:

>> mefladvocacy.blogspot.com

Climate change caused by the Greenhouse Effect is one of the biggest issues that the global community faces.

On an international level
International action on climate change is not new, dating back to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) - commonly called the 'Earth Summit' - held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992.

A key outcome of the conference was an agreement designed to stabilise atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gasses to prevent dangerous climate change. Known as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) the convention came into effect in 1994.

Whilst the UNFCCC merely encourages nations to take action to reduce emissions, it gave rise to the Kyoto protocol in 1997, which goes one step further and legally commits industrialised counties to specific emissions targets.

Progress on both the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol is assessed annually at a Conference of the Parties (COP). All 192 countries which are signatories to the Convention are able to attend the COP. Simultaneously, countries which have ratified the Kyoto Protocol meet to discuss the Protocol's progress, in an event that carries the rather long-winded title: 'Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol' (CMP).

Copenhagen
The 15th and latest Conference of the Parties was held in Copenhagen in December 2009 (COP15). With the binding targets of the Kyoto Protocol winding up in the next few years, there was much hope for COP15 to deliver a binding agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol. However, while this wasn't to be, Copenhagen did deliver a broad agreement for all countries, not just industrialised countries, to measure and report emissions and commit to limit the growth in greenhouse gas emissions (the Copenhagen Accord).

The next meeting (COP16) is scheduled for Mexico later this year, and there is hope that a legally-binding agreement to supersede Kyoto will be agreed upon there.

In Australia
Australia ratified the Kyoto Protocol in late 2007. Under the Protocol, Australia is committed to limiting greenhouse gas emissions to an average 8% above 1990 levels over the years from 2008 to 2012. Australia looks likely to achieve this target, mainly due a reduction in land clearing, while emissions from electricity generation, transport, agriculture and industry having risen significantly. When land clearing is removed from calculations, Australia's greenhouse gas emissions have actually increased by 30% over 1990 levels.

The Australian Government has set a target of reducing emissions 5-25% below 2000 levels by 2020, with the final reduction target dependent on the extent of global agreement. The Government's key strategy for achieving this target is an emissions trading scheme, called the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS). The CPRS legislation was voted on but not passed by the Australian Parliament in December 2009.

For an analysis of what the proposed CPRS means to households see the the Department of Climate Change website. For MEFL's analysis of the CPRS and voluntary action, visit the MEFL Advocacy Blog.

To reduce the chance of exceeding 2 degrees of warming (widely considered the level of 'dangerous' climate change) emissions reductions in the order of 60-80% are required globally by 2050. Industrialised nations like Australia, with high per capita emissions (Australia has one of the highest per capita emissions in the world), will have to reduce their emissions even further to allow for limited growth in developing countries. This means we should be aiming for a reduction of 25-40% by 2020 and around 90% by 2050.

In Victoria
In June 2009 the Victorian Government released the Victorian Climate Change Green Paper, a draft policy document designed to create discussion and feedback on the State's approach to addressing climate change issues. In addition, the Premier delivered a detailed statement to Parliament in November 2009 outlining the Government's planned direction on climate change, and announced a program entitled Climate Communities designed to assist local community initiatives on climate change.

Details of the Green Paper, the Premier's statement and the Climate Communities program can be downloaded from the Victorian Government's website here.

MEFL and the Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action (NAGA) have both provided submissions to the Victorian Government's Climate Change Green Paper review process. Visit the MEFL website for details.

Here in Moreland
The City of Moreland is taking strong leadership in reducing emissions and has already committed to zero net emissions from the community by 2020 and zero net emissions from Moreland Council operations and facilities by 2012.

In mid 2008 the Moreland Energy Foundation in partnership with Moreland City Council launched a new Zero Carbon Moreland Campaign which will assist Moreland residents, businesses, organisations and community groups in reaching this target over the coming years. For more on the Zero Carbon Moreland campaign visit the ZCM Website.

To download Moreland City Council's Climate Action Plan 2007-2012 visit the Moreland City Council website or contact Laura Donnellan, Climate Change Program Coordinator at Moreland Council to be posted a copy . Phone 9240 1264.

Creating change
While MEFL's main brief is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the Moreland community, we can drive much wider emission reduction through strategic research and advocacy work. By influencing the policies and institutions in our society, we can support more sustainable decision-making by individuals in Moreland and beyond. We contribute the expertise we have gained through working with real people and organisations to support government policy and program development.

Click here for MEFL Advocacy work.

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