IPCC: lobbying by vested interests is the problem

The Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility​ (ACCR) is commenting on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Working Group III, Sixth Assessment Report, published today.

Dan Gocher, Director of Climate & Environment at the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCR) said:

“UN Secretary-General António Guterres rightly described countries planning to increase fossil fuel production—including Australia—as dangerous radicals.

“Guterres added that vested interests were “choking our planet” based on their investments in fossil fuels, while renewable energy is cheaper, and provides energy security and price stability.

“The full version of the latest IPCC report repeatedly refers to vested interests—especially corporations and trade associations—lobbying against climate action.

“Their business as usual approach - and opportunistic exploitation of geopolitical events, will create a reckoning of future climate disasters.

“While standing in their ivory towers, these vested interests continue to roadblock those industries that stand to benefit from a rapid transition.

“In Australia, this includes the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA), the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA), the NSW Minerals Council and the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).

“The IPCC identified “the realities of political economy and lobbying”, as the primary obstacles to carbon pricing. The experience of Australia’s short-lived price on carbon showed the power of industry associations representing incumbent industries.

“Just yesterday, the Department of Industry published its Resources and Energy Quarterly Report which forecast flat or increasing export volumes for gas, metallurgical and thermal coal over the medium term.

“The companies and industry associations responsible for lobbying against ambitious climate policy must be held to account by their shareholders. This starts with voting against climate plans and the re-election of directors.”