E&OE….
Topics: Paris climate summit, Montreal Protocol
KIERAN GILBERT:
We're live to Paris now – one of those attending was the Environment Minister Greg Hunt. Mr Hunt, thanks so much for your time.
Australia reportedly applauded by delegates at the summit in Paris.
Is that in part because with the change of Prime Minister, there's a sense that Australia is once again more engaged on climate change?
GREG HUNT:
Well there was a very positive response to Australia's involvement in the talks.
There was a sense that Australia had played an extremely constructive role.
Perhaps most significantly we led a global agreement on what's called the Montreal Protocol which is to do with ozone protecting gases, but which also delivered a 90 billion tonne down payment for the Paris Conference in terms of reduced CO2.
And Australia literally, only a few days ago, brought together an agreement in Dubai.
I was there and we worked with critical countries such as Saudi Arabia and India in brokering a deal. That was presented here.
And then we also put on the table a compromise which might well help in terms of five year review or reporting under the Paris Agreement.
And that's been seen as a very constructive contribution which could assist in what I think will be a successful global outcome in less than a month.
KIERAN GILBERT:
And so with that five year review, even if the meeting next month does not contain temperatures to – global temperatures to – two degrees above the pre-industrial average, that within the five year review that that might still achieve the outcome with the shorter term reviews in place.
When would Australia then be reviewing our targets for the first time? What year will that be?
GREG HUNT:
So it's not agreed yet, but it's likely that we’ll all be back in 2020 and 2025 and 2030.
And at each one of those cycles, countries would be expected to renew or improve their pledges.
We've designed a system which is prepared for the future.
We're in a position to reconsider in advance of 2020. But let's go and meet our targets first.
But I've got to say the Australian model appears to be gathering a lot of steam – countries have got behind it.
We've worked with both major economies such as the United States, and small island states such as the Marshall Islands and the Maldives, and even St Lucia from the Caribbean.
So we've played a really constructive role and people are very excited at what we've done.
The combination of the Montreal Protocol, where we ran and chaired the solution there – and just the size of that reduction is astonishing.
Secondly the contribution we've made here.
And thirdly we've just been elected as the joint chair of what's called the Green Climate Fund.
So on three big fronts we are really helping to lead the world in this space to a very good outcome but in a way which always protects Australia's interests.
KIERAN GILBERT:
Mr Hunt, live from Paris this morning, I appreciate your time. Thanks so much for that.
GREG HUNT:
Thanks Kieran, cheers.
(ENDS)