AUSTRALIA ranks last among wealthy countries in being ready to compete in a clean energy future or play its part in a strong climate treaty, an international report has found.
While the debate in Canberra focuses on whether to pass climate change legislation this year, the analysis by London-based consultants Vivid Economics suggests Australia is already being left behind.
Among G20 nations, Australia is ranked 15th for its readiness to maintain its wealth as the world introduces a price on carbon dioxide emissions.
Only developing nations South Africa, India, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia fare worse.
Australia's poor standing is blamed on its reliance on greenhouse-intensive exports, cars and coal-based electricity.
In terms of being ready to play its part under a pact to limit warming to 2 degrees, it slips down the list to 16th.
''The largest turnarounds in carbon productivity are required by Australia, Turkey, Russia and Saudi Arabia,'' the report says.
''The longer these countries take to achieve these turnarounds, the more costly the eventual transition will be.''
read more: http://www.theage.com.au/environment/australia-coming-last-on-climate-20090913-fm7a.html
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