Thursday, August 6, 2009

Australia to benefit from emissions trading scheme

August 6, 2009

The head of the United Nations climate change agency said on Thursday Australia would benefit from having its emissions trading scheme in place before the upcoming climate summit in Copenhagen.

Yvo de Boer clarified his view by indicating it would not hurt Australia's interests if it arrived at the global talks with its scheme in place despite saying last week it did not matter.

"That's clearly going to give you a much stronger position in that process," he told Australian Broadcasting Corporation Radio.

His original comments sparked debate about the government's rush towards legislation, with a Senate vote scheduled for August 13.

The Australian government maintained it would have the upper hand in Copenhagen negotiations with a scheme in place.

Rich countries needed to pick up the slack in the fight against climate change, de Boer said.