This is equivalent to 0.08 per cent of the 440 million tonnes Australia is currently generating per year, or; the annual emissions from 160,000 australian cars, which generate 190 grams of greenhouse pollution per kilometre and drive on average for 13000 kilometres a year.
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Former Australian climate diplomat Richie Merzian, now chief executive of the Clean Energy Investor Group, said it was likely that Australia would strike a deal with Turkey and potentially agree on joint hosting duties. The upcoming COP, to be held in Brazil this November, would present an opportunity to finalise a deal, he said.
Merzian said Turkey has a history of using its nomination in climate talks to win concessions or support for other diplomatic efforts.
When Turkey held up the UK’s bid to host the Glasgow climate talks, Britain promised to host a Turkish investment conference in London and back Turkish candidates for several international and UN posts, Politico reported in May.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Adelaide could host the conference, and that Australia would serve as a co-host with its Pacific neighbours.
Merzian and Climate Council chief executive Amanda McKenzie welcomed the government’s efforts to break the deadlock with Turkey. Both said the conference would attract global investors to Australia, whose support is needed to build the renewable energy Australia will rely on to reach its climate goals.
“It’s the world’s biggest trade fair. The world is transitioning rapidly to clean energy, and Australia is the sunniest country in the world and we’re one of the windiest. We have huge opportunities in green metals like lithium, and we’ve also got opportunities to use cheap, clean power to build new industries,” McKenzie said.
Responding to questions about COP carbon footprint from international travel, McKenzie said a climate conference was not the most productive place to start looking for emissions cuts.
“You’ve got to get people together to solve problems, there’s no way around it,” she said.
“If we are looking for savings, how about we restrict travel to fossil fuel conferences around the world where executives get together and work out how they can pollute more.”
The Albanese government was contacted for comment.
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