06 CLIMATE CHANGE
Coal project refused by Qld Government
Witnesses Jiritju Fourmile, Florence, Lala and Kapua Gutchen & Harold Ludwick outside the Land Court of Queensland in November last year. Pic supplied. The Queensland Government has refused Clive Palmer’s Galilee Coal Project following the recommendation of the Queensland Land Court late last year. “Environmental Defenders Office clients Youth Verdict and the Bimblebox Alliance brought an historic legal challenge to the massive new fossil AdsIN E fuel project on human rights, climate 19x3 monthly ad and nature grounds and
THURSDAY 6 APRIL 2023 TORRES NEWS
Landmark reforms to reduce emissions Landmark reforms which will reduce 205 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions to 2030 – equivalent of taking twothirds of the nation’s cars off the road – were passed through Federal Parliament last Thursday. Queensland Senator, and Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef, Nita Green said the reforms, known as the Safeguard Mechanisms, took Australia one step closer to achieving net zero by 2050.
“Climate change is the Reef’s biggest threat,” Senator Green said. “We have not wasted a single day since coming to office – we’re taking action to reduce emissions, preparing our economy for a clean energy future and delivering significant investment in protecting the Great Barrier Reef.” Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said parliamentary passage of the Safeguard Mechanism Bill was a
landmark achievement for Australia’s economy and the climate. “These reforms will safeguard our economy, safeguard our climate and safeguard our future,” he said. “Passage of this legislation is the culmination of extensive feedback from Safeguard businesses, industry associations, climate and community groups, academics and private individuals. “These reforms have been supported across the spectrum
– from the Business Council to the Climate Council, Manufacturing Australia to the Australian Conservation Foundation. “We thank those across the Parliament who engaged in good faith discussions to ensure accountability, transparency and integrity for the scheme, and ensure flexibility and support for industry.” The updated Safeguard Mechanism scheme will be in operation as of 1 July 2023.
International Court to look at climate change
won,” Senior Solicitor Alison Rose said on Monday. “Today’s final decision to refuse the environmental authority brings an end to the epic battle. “Our heartfelt congratulations and gratitude goes to our clients and First Nations witnesses in the case.” Read more about the landmark victory here:
TN0449 - 06/04/23 https://www.edo.org. au/galilee-coal/
Sian Scott <sian.scott@djarragun.qld.edu.au>
ENROLNOW
BOARDING IN CAIRNS YEAR 7-12 Home away from home All excursions and meals provided Academies of Excellence in Sports, the Arts and Hospitality Wide range of VET courses
www.djarragun.qld.edu.au | 07 4043 3777
ABOVE LEFT – Vanuatu Prime Minister Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau briefs reporters on the draft resolution sponsored by his country and other Member States requesting an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the obligations of States in respect. ABOVE RIGHT – Secretary-General António Guterres addresses the General Assembly on the request for an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the obligations of States in respect of climate change. Pics: UN Photo/Manuel Elías. The UN General Assembly said will seek the opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on countries’ obligations to address climate change, following the adoption by consensus of a resolution on Wednesday last week. The resolution was put forward by the cyclone-battered Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu, supported by a “core group” of 17 countries from various regions, and was focused on the adverse impacts of climate change on small island developing States as well as climate justice. The ICJ, also known as the World Court, is the UN’s principal judicial organ. Although its advisory opinions were not legally binding, they carried legal authority and moral weight. Speaking ahead of the vote, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the Court’s advisory opinions had tremendous importance. “If and when given, such an opinion would assist the General Assembly, the UN and Member States, to take the bolder and stronger climate action that our world so desperately needs,” he said. Mr Guterres pointed to the
latest climate science, unveiled this month, which confirmed that humans were responsible for virtually all global heating over the past 200 years. The report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) further showed that limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, was achievable – but time was running out. The UN chief stressed that now was the time for climate action and climate justice. “The climate crisis can only be overcome through cooperation – between peoples, cultures, nations, generations,” he said. “But festering climate injustice feeds divisions and threatens to paralyse global climate action.” Vanuatu Prime Minister Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau said ambition towards achieving the 1.5-degree target was, “still far from what is needed”, and an ICJ advisory opinion could provide clarity that would benefit global efforts to address the climate crisis and further boost cooperation. He said the final text of the resolution was the result of lengthy consultations and deliberations, and he also highlighted the important role played by young law students
in the Pacific who inspired the initiative. “The intense and engaged negotiations with the core group as well as with a broader UN membership, were an indication of the importance of this initiative, but also of the collective desire to work towards addressing the climate crisis,” he said. “This is not a silver bullet, but it can make an important contribution to climate change, climate action, including by catalyzing much higher ambition under the [2015] Paris Agreement.” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, issued a statement which warmly welcomed the “landmark resolution”. He said his Office, OHCHR, had extensively documented the human rights impacts of climate change and set out the human rights obligations of States and other actors. “States have obligations to mitigate and adapt to – and address loss and damage resulting from – climate change,” Mr Türk said. “We look forward to sharing this expertise in this highly significant process before the International Court of Justice.”
