Australia. Described as the worst performing industrial nation on climate change, during UN meetings in Lima last year, Australia has finally woken up from its lethargy by announcing plans to reduce HFCs by 85% by 2036 and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions between 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2030.
On August 11, 2015, Conservative Prime Minister Tony Abbott's cabinet put forward proposals to adopt a direct action approach to climate change, including a $2.5 billion Emissions Reduction Fund, the phase-out of high-PWG (global warming potential) hydrofluorocarbons, and direct investment in low-emission technologies and practices.
In addition, the new GHG emissions reduction target signals a positive step from Australia's weak commitment to reduce emissions to 5% below 2000 levels by 2020 and directly addresses Australia's commitments in the Montreal Protocol as one of the richest countries in the world.
