The differences between the parties of politics in Australia are centered around the carbon price mechanism. However, the parties share their support for putting in place approaches to carbon management.

In the story “Tax furore hides much furious agreement”, Andrew Ure wrote “he makes an issue of how Australians would be forgiven for being a little lost in the carbon tax introduction and the storm of words”. Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/tax-furore-hides-much-furious-agreement-20120702-21d4c.html#ixzz1zb5R3I5L

CO2Land org looks closely at where there is general agreement by our political parties that climate change is real, and notes:

• Unconditional commitment to reduce Australia’s emissions by the same amount (5 per cent of 2000 levels by 2020).
• Agree on a minimum undertaking of the scale of emissions reductions that Australia should endevour upon.
• Agree that there is a degree of climate change action that Australia should take forward.
• Furious agreement that Australia should encourage the development of the renewable energy sector through promoting a renewable energy target, and they even agree on the amount: 20 per cent of Australia’s energy supply should come from renewable sources by 2020.
• Energy Efficiency programs will remain in focus regardless of who is in power
• Land management is in agreement for support, however the estimates of the potential of reducing emissions from farming and forestry vary, but all agree the reductions potential is very significant.
• Although they have the same objective and hence the same program type but called differently: The government’s contracts for closure program and the coalition’s emissions reductions fund is seeking to support the closure of inefficient power stations.

Being that the coalition are on record as saying estimates that soil carbon measures could represent 85 million tonnes of annual CO2 abatement potential we can take this as agreement the government’s carbon farming initiative is the safest part of the government’s Clean Energy Future package. Albeit we will hear more of the slant to be tested based on the direct action plan.

CO2Land org is of the view we should not let the arguments get dull or fade away, even the minor differences present significant opportunity to do better and more is best for climate change action. Viva la differences and the nuance to maneuver to our special place – sustainable living.