The U.S.-Australia Climate Action Partnership Moves Forward

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The governments of the United States and Australia announced in Washington today an initial work program under the U.S.-Australia Climate Action Partnership, following meetings held between Dr. David Kemp, Australian Minister for the Environment and Heritage, U.S. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham, EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman, and Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky. Dr. Kemp will also meet this week with other senior members of the U.S. Administration, including U.S. Secretary of Interior Gale Norton, CEQ Chairman James Connaughton, and Commerce Under Secretary and NOAA Administrator, Vice-Admiral Conrad Lautenbacher, Jr. The U.S.-Australia Climate Action Partnership was announced in February of this year.

The work program announced today includes 19 projects in the following areas: climate change science and monitoring; renewable and reduced-emission stationary energy technologies; engagement with business on technology development and policy design and implementation; capacity building in developing countries; and greenhouse accounting in the forestry and agriculture sectors.

Australia and the U.S. share the view that there needs to be global action to address climate change and will continue to work together closely to address this long-term challenge. Both countries expressed confidence that the program of bilateral cooperation under the Partnership will contribute to an enhanced understanding of climate change and involve practical activities that will make a real contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in both countries.

Under Secretary Dobriansky noted that, "The exchange of knowledge and experience on policies and approaches developed by the U.S. and Australia to reduce greenhouse emissions will make both countries’ domestic programs more effective." Other projects will facilitate science and business-to-business engagement on leading edge technology development. A key next step will be a workshop on the technology projects that will bring together government and business interests from both countries.

"Scientific cooperation under this Partnership will assist in reducing key uncertainties and improving the capacity of climate science to inform policy making," Dr. Kemp said. "Some projects are targeted at building the capacity of developing countries, particularly in the Pacific, to address climate change."

Both sides recognized the importance of adequate and effective protection of intellectual property associated with these projects.

The meetings between Dr. Kemp and senior U.S. officials provided a valuable opportunity to exchange views on climate change policy. U.S. officials described efforts to meet the U.S. goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emission intensity announced by President Bush on February 14, 2002. Dr. Kemp outlined the substantial range of measures being taken by Australia to address climate change, including its efforts to improve energy efficiency. In doing so, Dr. Kemp noted that, "Australia has a substantial program of measures to address climate change and continues to implement them."

The governments of Australia and the United States expressed their firm intention to continue to work together closely to address the long-term challenge of climate change.

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