CANBERRA, Jun 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) – The Australian government says, net zero emissions by 2050 remains its preference, but the new Deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce, as a climate change skeptic, casts a shadow over the issue.
Joyce was yesterday returned as deputy PM, after defeating incumbent Michael McCormack, in a ballot for the leadership of the National Party, which forms the governing Coalition with PM Scott Morrison’s Liberal Party.
As a leader of the Nationals, Joyce – a strong advocate for coal-fired power generation – will enter negotiations with Morrison on the terms of the Coalition agreement, with climate policy expected to be the centerpiece.
Morrison, who refused to commit to a target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, softened his position in recent months.
This morning, Environment Minister, Sussan Ley, said, “Net zero is not dead in the water.”
“Net zero will happen as soon as possible and the prime minister has made that very clear,” she told Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) television.
“As environment minister, my position is that, we reach net zero as soon as possible and I don’t think anyone in the government would disagree.”
Joyce said that he would be “guided” by his colleagues on the target.– NNN-AGENCIES
