Australia bows to pressure on climate action ahead of US summit
The Morrison Government will be pushed to adopt more ambitious climate targets as the Biden Administration ramps up climate diplomacy ahead of a historic climate summit.
United States President Joe Biden will lead the virtual event and call on big polluters to reduce emissions and invest in clean energy technology.
This week Australia’s federal government announced $540 million would be invested in clean energy technologies in the upcoming budget to lower greenhouse gasses and create 2500 jobs.
A total of $276 million will go toward four hydrogen hubs across the country, with another $264 million allocated for carbon capture projects. The United States is imposing increasing pressure on nations to reduce reliance on fossil fuel resources. PresidentJoe Biden mmakesclimate diplomacy a top priority and iinvites40 world leaders to a virtual summit this Friday.
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said US diplomats would “challenge the practices” of countries which are setting the world back in the fight against global warming. “When countries continue to rely on coal for a significant amount of their energy, or invest in new coal factories, or allow for massive deforestation, they will hear from the United States and our partners about how harmful these actions are.” Despite Chinese lip service backing the net-zero emissions push, the nation built multiple coal-powered fire stations last year.