Climate Change Department Admits Difficulty in Measuring Emissions Impact

Australia’s Climate Change Department has admitted difficulty attributing the effect of carbon emission reduction from Australia to specific changes in the global climate. During a budget estimate hearing on May 28, representatives from the Climate Change Department were questioned about whether it could demonstrate the quantifiable effects of the policies it implemented to reduce carbon emissions. Queensland Senator Malcolm Roberts cited a recent Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) report indicating that the Department was “unable to demonstrate the extent to which specific Australian government policies and programs have contributed or are expected to contribute to overall emissions reduction.” The ANAO also said the Department’s monitoring of climate and energy-related work progress did not indicate the contribution of measures towards emissions reduction targets....