The Climate Question - Why is Australia so slow to act on climate change?

Download Why is Australia so slow to act on climate change?

Australia is one of the world's biggest per-capita greenhouse gas emitters, and a Climate Question listener wants to know why the world isn't demanding her country do more.

Jodie lives in tropical Queensland, which she says is 'paradise', but it's also a place affected by bushfires, drought, and cyclones.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says 'Australia can always be relied upon' to deliver action on climate change, but critics at home and abroad point to a record of over-promising and under-delivering.

Observers also blame the country's powerful and profitable fossil fuel industries as a reason why the Australian government has been slow to make progress.

But is it time, as listener Jodie asks, to give her country a 'a kick up the bum'?

Contributors:
Dr Niklas Hohne, The New Climate Institute, Cologne
Greg Bourne, The Climate Council Australia

Presenters - Neal Razzell and Graihagh Jackson
Reporter - Issy Phillips, FBi Radio, Sydney

Producer – Jordan Dunbar
Editor – Emma Rippon

Published on Sunday, 27th June 2021.

Available Podcasts from The Climate Question

Subscribe to The Climate Question

We are not the BBC, we only list available podcasts. To find out more about the programme including episodes available on BBC iPlayer, go to the The Climate Question webpage.