Total Environment Centre, a campaign centre for environment protection, has stated that the NSW government must re-establish the greenhouse gas abatement scheme (GGAS), if the carbon rate is terminated through Tony Abbott government or through the legal action of the NSW government. Even other state governments that discard climate change policies for the same reason must come clean.
The Executive Director of the Centre, Jeff Angel stated that GGAS is a category of carbon rating mechanism. Policies of this type are useful in making decisions and raising funds for operations, when compared to other currently available options. However, the Energy Minister of NSW, Chris Hartcher has declared that the GGAS will be concluded once the carbon rate comes into effect from July 1, 2012. Simultaneously, the government expects to conclude the carbon impost. Now the question remains whether the NSW government will reinstate the GGAS scheme if the carbon rate is ended.
Angel further said that it is still unclear whether the O’Farrell government is committed to climate change or simply trying to satisfy the fossil fuel power industry, which normally focuses on profit and business.
He added that GGAS worked well by funding renewables and energy efficiency for stabilizing and reducing per capital greenhouse emissions in an economical manner. Nevertheless, it is doubtful whether the state governments are working toward a climate policy-free zone.
Source: http://www.tec.org.au/