Morrison Welcomes Possible Return of US to Paris Agreement
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Australia Prime Minister emphasised that the country has always been part this international agreement and would welcome US back to it.
Mr. Scott Morrison commented on Monday on the possibility of the rejoining the international emission cap pact by the new administration.
"We would be welcoming the United States back into the Paris Agreement, somewhere we've always been," Mr Morrison told reporters, saying a US return to other global organisations like the World Health Organisation (WHO) would also be welcome.
Democratic candidate Joe Biden, who currently is waiting for the resolving of issues related to the possible breach of electoral process by some Democratic governors, stated repeatedly that his administration would rejoin the international organisation from which President Trump withdrew the United States.
Mr. Biden's plan on so-called climate action policy aims to put the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 1.5˚C "within striking distance," according to the analysts from the Climate Action Tracker. Biden is going to pledge to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Australia federal government did not adopt the 2050 target for net zero emissions
concerned that the decision could deepen the recession caused by the pandemic.
His climate policy includes a $1.7 trillion investment in clean energy and green jobs, and calls for an end to fossil fuel subsidies and a ban on new oil and gas permits on public lands. But it automatically leads to the closure of the mining and and the petroleum industry.
On Monday, independent lawmaker Zali Steggall introduced a climate Bill to federal Parliament seeking a net zero target, saying Australia would be "the pariah of the international community" if it didn't strengthen its climate commitments.
Australia federal government did not adopt the same 2050 target for net zero emissions under the concern that the decision could deepen the recession caused by the pandemic and serious reverberation in the trade relations with Communist China.
Australia is a major exporter of fossil fuels, particularly coal, and Mr Morrison said many countries have made qualified climate commitments.