Greens Call on NSW to Lead on Climate Change

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon says Premier Iemma is playing a dangerous game in buck-passing responsibility for climate change to the federal government, when NSW is clearly in a position to lead the way to initiate measures that reduce global warming.

"Premier Iemma is in the climate change box seat. His efforts to flick responsibility for solving climate change to the Howard government, in the context of a just released CSIRO report, is an extraordinary abandonment of duty," Ms Rhiannon said.

"The Iemma government carries responsibility for regulating key areas critical to averting climate change, including energy production, mining, roads, public transport, water and agriculture.

"Just for starters, Premier Iemma can halt new coal mines and coal fired power stations, invest in clean energy technologies, establish renewable energy targets and set progressive targets toward a 90% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

"A CSIRO report, released today, shows the harsh impact climate change will have on the Namoi Valley, where BHP Billiton, with the nod of the Iemma government, is planning to expand coal mining.

"If coal mining in the Gunnedah basin goes ahead it will have a major impact on the area's water supplies and pump millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere in an area that CSIRO says will be hard hit by climate change.

"If the Anvil Hill coal mine proceeds, 10.5 million tonnes of coal will be mined each year, resulting in 27 million tonnes of carbon dioxide released. This is more than the greenhouse gas emissions from all vehicles using roads in NSW.

"The NSW government is beholden to the coal industry. It has rubber stamped the activities of the coal industry for 100 years, and in return has gained enormous economic growth and prosperity at the expense of the environment.

"Averting climate change and coal mining do not mix and it is time Premier Iemma pulled the plug on his government's support for this dangerous industry," Ms Rhiannon said.