Australia beat its 2010 Kyoto target by 5 per cent. Our emissions barely changed in 20 years in either real or percentage terms while our population grew by 29 per cent and our economy by 88 per cent.
Over the same 20-year period, China has brought hundreds of millions out of grinding poverty and the world should rejoice at that achievement. We should also be realistic. From 1990 to 2010 China’s emissions increased from 3.4 billion tonnes to 9.8 billion tonnes — the fastest growth in emissions in human history and 640 times, or 64,000 per cent, greater than any change in Australia.
Again this is no criticism: hundreds of millions are experiencing the basic gifts of medicines, refrigeration, heating, cooling and electricity which have long been the privilege of the West.
Looking forward to 2020, Australia performs well again. From 1990 to 2020, our emissions will fall from 580 to 555 million tonnes, a 4 per cent reduction. From 1990 to 2020, US emissions will fall from 5.4 to 5.1 billion tonnes, or 5 per cent. This is largely achieved through the increasing use of shale gas, demonised by the Left in Australia but lauded in America.
In 20 years, from 1990 to 2010, US emissions grew 53 times more than Australian emissions grew.
This is not a criticism but a reality check for those on the Left who proclaim the virtue of pledges but ignore the reality of emissions.
Not a bad record, one wonders just exactly what all the critics are on about.
