Comments from the Australian Climate Change Community at COP26

Quotes attributable to Gavan McFadzean - Climate Change Program Manager at ACF

"This was the COP where Australia was left behind, with dire consequences for our climate, economy and jobs."

"While Glasgow hasn’t achieved the ambition we need, there were breakthroughs. Despite the Morrison government’s best efforts, 140 countries lifted their pollution reduction targets, 103 countries agreed to slash methane pollution, and the last rights were given to coal, with commitments to end construction of new power stations, end public funding, and phase out coal power."

"Looking forward to next year’s federal election, both the Coalition and Labor will need to step up with a target to cut pollution by at least half this decade, and the policies to get us there."

Quotes attributable to Simon Bradshaw - Research Director at the Climate Council

"Australia arrived in Glasgow as the worst performing of all developed countries on reducing emissions and moving beyond fossil fuels. The Government has done nothing here to change that. Meanwhile, other countries have picked up the pace and left us even further behind."

"The message from the rest of the world to Australia is clear: come back in 2022 with a much stronger target for 2030 and a plan to move beyond coal and gas."

"The sooner the Australian Government steps up with a plan to drive down emissions this decade, the sooner we can start unlocking Australia’s unrivaled opportunities for new jobs and prosperity through renewable energy and clean industries, start repairing our international reputation, and start protecting Australians and communities everywhere from the ravages of climate change."

Quotes attributable to Jo Dodds - President of Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action

"Bushfire Survivors are heartened by the efforts made by so many nations in the developed and developing world to negotiate much stronger climate goals. It’s clear that climate damage is devastating communities globally. And many Indigenous and First Nations people are here raising their voices, calling for climate justice."

"To our shame, Australia won the Colossal Fossil Award, provided by Climate Action Network International. The award recognises the countries who do the least to prevent dangerous climate heating and the most to promote fossil fuels (and their accompanying emissions!)."

"It’s an eye-watering irony that our nation, still reeling from the most catastrophic bushfires we’ve ever faced, warned that we’ll be facing even worse as the climate continues to heat, is STILL embracing coal, still investing OUR TAXES in new gas projects, still asking communities like mine to be more ‘resilient’ in the face of ever growing danger."

"Bushfire survivors need a reason to keep going. We need a reason to rebuild, a reason for re-opening our businesses. We need reasons for hope. At this point, after our government’s performance at COP26, we don’t have these reasons."

"Instead, just like the government’s plans for propping up our fossil fuel sector with carbon capture and storage, hope is just a dream."

Quotes attributable to Julie-Anne Richards, Executive Director of Climate Action Network Australia

"Australians have every reason to feel let down by the government of Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the Glasgow climate summit. Our allies like the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan and others moved ahead with more ambitious climate plans. The United States and China agreed to increase their ambition going forward. Important neighbours like Indonesia and India flagged their intention to phase out coal. Whereas Prime Minister Scott Morrison let our country down by treating the COP like a trade show for fossil fuels, spruiking for giant gas corporations and fossil fuel technology that has for decades failed to reduce pollution."

"The rest of the world made it clear they are moving away from coal and gas - if we want to prosper and to protect what we hold dear, we should too. Planning for a just transition that supports communities that need it."

"The international community set the deadline for Australia to come back next year with new targets - and agreed that global emissions need to fall by 45% by 2030. This time we should lead from the front and showcase the enthusiasm of Australians from all walks of life, and all sectors of the economy to take ambitious climate action. Not drag at the back."

Quotes attributable to Lisa Cliff, Program Manager of Climate Action Network Australia

"This COP brought together Australians from every sector of the economy and society - First Nations, finance and faith, cities and states, business big and small, agriculture, resources and energy, health and social service, unions, think tanks, higher education, and civil society - to share their expertise and explore their collective capacity to deliver the emissions cuts needed to keep the 1.5°C goal within reach."

"The Glasgow negotiations have provided more certainty for the global business community, but Australians need to see clearer direction to invest in zero emissions industries that will create sustainable jobs and climate resilient communities at home."

"Leaders across the economy and society are ready to work with the Australian government to design and implement credible policies and action that will slash climate pollution this decade and meet the world’s expectations ahead of November 2022. Together, we can accelerate Australia’s transition to a better, healthier, just and prosperous, zero-emissions future for all."

Quotes attributable to Ray Minniecon, Indigenous Peoples Organisation, Australia

"For Australia’s Indigenous Peoples, the Australian Government has totally shattered any hopes we had of repairing and healing the deep wounds and scars of our lands and people. We leave COP26 deeply ashamed and embarrassed by the Australian Government’s behaviour and attitudes to the deep concerns we have about the climate crisis. We are angry that their solutions are based on the premise of a ‘business as usual’ mentality which will continue to harm our peoples and all Australians on the lands and waters we all love. Shame! Shame Shame!"

Quotes attributable to Dr Virginia Marshall, Indigenous Peoples Organisation Australia and the Australian National University

"The expectation for COP26 was low for Indigenous Peoples, Local Communities and the nine Peoples Plenary Constituencies because of the unmet requirements of the previous COPs. The voices of Indigenous Peoples during COP was ‘prove us wrong and commit to climate adaptation and climate mitigation, and honour the pledges that you, the Nation States, have made and broken’. The Pacific and islands across these oceans are experiencing rising sea levels that are forcing ancient cultures to soon abandon their homes and livelihoods, to become stateless refugees. Indigenous Peoples are sovereign, in spite of lies of the doctrine of discovery, terra nullius and aqua nullius, we demand that our human rights are met. The impact of climate change is killing our peoples. The future for our children and children’s children depends on transitioning out of extractive industries. The world’s water security depends on this just transition. The Global North must protect the human rights of the global south. Aboriginal Australia is the Global South. The world cannot look on when genocide approaches."

Quotes attributable to Richie Merzian, Climate & Energy Program Manager, The Australia Institute

"After 15 years in the process, it is heartening to see fossil fuels directly targeted, with significant alliances against coal, oil and gas launched on the margins of COP and language on phasing out traditional coal power debated to the final hours and even supported by Australia."

"Post-Glasgow, we can rid ourselves of the pretence that fossil fuels can be part of the solution to the climate crisis."

"It was disappointing to see the Australian Government refuse to increase its 2030 ambition, especially when Prime Minister Morrison travelled all the way to Glasgow to brag that Australia could significantly meet and beat’ its modest target with no additional policies."

"While the emissions gap to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees remains, it has atleast narrowed and countries like Australia have been requested to return next year with a better target and join a new Ministerial roundtable on 2030 ambition."

"Credit should be given to the United Kingdom and the United States for throwing everything they had at COP26, including bringing Australia to the table to support a phase out of unabated coal and to consider improving its 2030 target next year."