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Climate
change - Background Note
Climate change—its causes, consequences
and responses—is a major subject of
political debate in Australia and overseas.
It is a subject on which there is a wealth
of information produced by experts from a
range of different perspectives—scientific,
economic, legal, social policy and foreign
affairs. It is also a subject about which
even the experts are often not in agreement.
There is a surfeit of information on all
aspects of climate change, and it can be hard
to keep up. The Parliamentary Library has
therefore prepared this climate change website to help provide senators and members
of the Australian Parliament, and their staff,
with accurate and timely information and background
on the key issues. The website includes useful
information sources and explains core concepts
and developments necessary to understanding
and responding to the climate change debate.
Given the breadth and complexity of the subject,
the website must of necessity be regarded
as a 'work in progress'. As resources allow
and as events progress, further explanatory
information will be added.
We welcome comments from our readers to the address below.
| Latest
issues
- On 27 January, the Minister for Climate Change, Senator Wong,
published a media
release announcing Australia's intention to submit a range
of emission reduction targets to the Copenhagen Accord. According
to the Minister's letter
to the UNFCCC, Australia's 2020 emission reduction target (on
2000 levels) is for 5 per cent unconditionally, and up to 15
and potentially 25 per cent conditional on certain international
actions.
- On 25 January, the UNFCCC issued a ‘clarification’
relating to its notification to the parties of the Copenhagen
Accord. Our coverage of the Copenhagen Conference (COP15) and
Accord can be found here.
- On 21 January, the Australian Greens issued a press
release proposing a two-year $20 carbon price to break the
Parliamentary deadlock on climate change action.
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Comments to: web.library@aph.gov.au
Last reviewed
7 December, 2009
by the Parliamentary Library Web Manager
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Parliament of Australia
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