Fed: Govt faces attack on fifth anniversary of Kyoto

00-00-0000
Fed: Govt faces attack on fifth anniversary of Kyoto

By Linda McSweeny

CANBERRA, Dec 11 AAP - The federal government today focused on stimulating a cleanerfossil fuel industry amid fiery attacks from pro-Kyoto activists who said it was abandoninggreen energy.

The government has stopped funding the Cooperative Research Centre for renewable energywhile increasing funding for the mining industry by $68.5 million.

Recent reports reveal a burgeoning renewables industry and the creation of tens ofthousands of new jobs.

Environmentalists, Labor, and the minor parties are livid that the government optedto pump millions of dollars into fossil fuels.

They fear the decision could trigger a languishing in the green energy sector at atime of global warming.

Australia was today under renewed pressure to ratify the Kyoto Protocol to combat climatechange on the fifth anniversary of its agreement.

Under the protocol, countries reliant on fossil fuels, which are blamed for globalwarming, would face penalties if they failed to stem pollution.

Australia continues to argue the world pact would hurt industry and harm jobs.

New Zealand and Canada this week accepted the protocol, leaving Australia further isolatedon the world climate control stage.

In July, Environment Minister David Kemp said renewable energy was a key element ofclimate change policy.

Senate Leader Robert Hill today said the government was determined to see a cleanercoal industry.

He said the government was still supporting the renewables industry, with $377 millionof funding.

"This government is also committed to cleaner coal," Senator Hill said.

"Coal is a vital fuel in competitive terms.

"And in terms of established infrastructure in Australia and there is significant roomwithin that industry to produce cleaner products with environmental benefits, includinggreenhouse gases."

Greenpeace campaigner Frances MacGuire said the government was blind to the need tobolster renewables.

"It should be ratifying Kyoto and putting more money into renewable energy rather thantaking it away," she said.

Minerals Council of Australia president Barry Cusack said it was important to rememberAustralia was only a small contributor to the world's emission problem.

"We've got to be very careful that we don't shoot ourselves in the foot in our response,"

Mr Cusack said.

"The government has said that it will not ratify the Kyoto Protocol until it is convincedthat it is in Australia's national interest to do so and we thoroughly support that."

AAP lm/kjp/cjh/br

KEYWORD: RESEARCH KYOTO