Activists block a coal terminal in Australia. © Greenpeace / Hamilton
As expected, Australia's parliament rejected a plan for the world's most ambitious emissions trade regime yesterday. The defeated carbon pollution reduction scheme intended to reduce emissions in the biggest per-capita emitter in the developed world, Reuters reports.
Despite the rejection, the government renewed its pledge to push through the scheme before the December U.N. meeting in Copenhagen, where world nations will try to hammer out a broad global climate pact and where Australia is eager to take a leading role.
"We will bring this bill back before the end of the year because if we don't this nation goes to Copenhagen with no means to deliver our targets," Climate Change Minister Penny Wong said.
The Danish government said it would like Australia's emissions trading scheme passed this year as it will be helpful in the Copenhagen meeting.
"The world needs the developed countries to take a strong lead in combating climate change and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions,” said Connie Hedegaard, the Danish minister for climate and energy.
"I am confident that the Australian government is doing everything possible to pass the necessary legislation prior to the UN climate conference in December," Ms Hedegaard said.
