Media Statement - 12th September 2007
A major report on the environmental practices of industry released yesterday shows that companies are ready for action on climate change but a lack of national leadership is holding them back.
Produced by the Ai Group in conjunction with Sustainability Victoria, the report – Environmental Sustainability and Industry, Road to a Sustainable Future – confirms the views put by industry at Monday’s National Manufacturing Roundtable, hosted by Labor Leader, Kevin Rudd.
At the Roundtable, industry made it clear that climate change presents both challenges and opportunities for businesses. The message was that governments need to work in partnership with industry to seize the opportunities presented.
But the Howard Government has been slow off the mark and unwilling to commit, and businesses feel left in the dark.
In releasing the report, Ai Group Chief Executive, Heather Ridout, said:
“Companies clearly need more information on how they can improve sustainable practices, they need a better understanding of an emissions trading scheme, and they need a better incentives, particularly for small and medium firms.”
The Ai Group/Sustainability Australia report found 78 per cent of firms believed they had a responsibility to reduce carbon emissions and 56 per cent saw opportunities from climate change to promote their company as socially responsible.
However, only 20 per cent of firms believed that they were well informed on government regulations in the area and just 14 per cent believed they were well informed on government programs to reduce carbon emissions.
Federal Labor is committed to introducing an effective emissions trading scheme and setting a long-term emissions reduction target to provide industry with the regulatory certainty required for new investments and informed risk management.
Only a Rudd Labor Government will create a genuine partnership with Australian industry to tackle climate change and ensure Australia’s future prosperity.