Climate Change

20 February 2003

Greenhouse Strategy

A Welcome First Step But No Excuse To Stick With Dirty Industries

The Environment Centre NT today welcomed NT Government moves to develop a Greenhouse Strategy but cautioned that if the final strategy is to have any value it must look at moving the NT away from polluting industries and setting up a truly ecologically sustainable economy.

Environment Centre coordinator Kirsten Blair said:

"We look forward to contributing to the development of this strategy. Some of the key outcomes we hope to see include:

"The difficulty the Government faces at present is that on the one hand it is trying to commit to greenhouse action and on the other is solidly supportive of several projects that would see NT emissions skyrocket. These two positions are in fact incompatible and it is time for the Government to come clean about its priorities. Minister Burns is talking about the NT's need to 'catch up' with the southern states by allowing polluting developments to happen now. What we're saying is let's leapfrog that entire stage, avoid entrenching a dependence on fossil fuels and position the Territory at the front of the energy game by pursuing innovative new technologies."

"This strategy presents an opportunity to think about the long-term future of the NT and we hope the final document will reflect this. The Territory has the opportunity to bypass a continual reliance on old style polluting industries and embrace a future economy based on truly green industries. It's time for the Government to move away from 'hot, heavy and wet' developments such as the typical fossil fuel based, energy intensive, short term projects and focus on fostering sustainable industries such as renewable energy generation that take advantage of our unique situation and will position the NT ahead of the game," Ms Blair concluded.

For more information on Climate Change contact ECNT:
Phone: 08 8981 1984
Email: ecnt@octa4.net.au

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