Australia’s international reputation on climate action is rapidly deteriorating, as not only has it been dubbed a “willful” wrecking ball at the UNFCCC COP19 negotiations, but new reports show that it has both slid to the bottom of international rankings of carbon emission reduction efforts, and become the number one emitter per capita among developed nations. The Global Carbon Project shows that Australia is failing to reduce carbon emissions at a rate comparable to the US or the European Union, and that its emissions remain consistent with the levels seen over the past decade. Despite the increasingly woeful performance, Australia has joined Canada todeny developing nations further climate funding.

  • After bringing a “hard-line ideological agenda” and wrecking ball tactics to COP19, Australia is now being seen as an “anti-climate” nation, actively working against a constructive outcome at the UNFCCC negotiations. Despite being a rich, affluent nation, it is ignoring the fact its historic emissions give it an obligation and commitment to provide funding for developing countries for climate mitigation and adaptation.
  • Australia is now the number one emitter per capita  among developed nations, and his has slid to the bottom of global rankings for climate action. This, combined with its irresponsible language and backward steps at the COP19 negotiations, have earned it a record four Fossil of the Day awards. Australia is the 16th largest emitter of CO2 in the world, ranking 10th, higher than any other major western nation, in terms of per capita emissions, and it is ranked 57 out of 61 for efforts to slow global warming. A drop of six places.