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Action on Climate Change

NASA, Australia's CSIRO, and 97% of climate scientists agree that human-created pollution is changing our climate in harmful ways.

The latest forecast from the International Energy Agency indicates that the battle to limit temperature rises to no more than 2 degrees Celsius is already struggling. There is no time to lose.

In construction, products like concrete and the energy used to operate city buildings are significant contributors to carbon pollution.

If we do nothing, CSIRO scientists say, climate change will increase the detrioration in concrete and steel, posing greater risks to the safety, serviceability and durability of our infrastructure.

Other countries have already moved ahead of Australia on climate change.

We need to take action now, or we will face even higher costs to repair the damage.

Industry already ahead

The Australian construction industry is aware of its impact on the environment and taking steps to reduce carbon emissions in buildings and infrastructure.

Construction workers who have built Green Star-rated office or residential properties are front-runners in this new approach. The changes may require some training, but "It's the best way to go," those workers are telling the CFMEU. See Photo Galleries: Our Green Star Jobs

Besides Green Star-rated new buildings, retrofitting existing buildings will also be required to improve their energy efficiency.

Incentives drive Innovation

From November 1, 2011, people selling or leasing office space of 2000 square metres or more in Australia will have to obtain and disclose an up-to-date Energy Efficiency Rating. That's an incentive to build Green Star-rated properties or to retrofit existing buildings.

Similarly, putting a price on carbon emissions generally drives industry to be more efficient and produce less carbon.

Without a carbon price, there is no incentive for the big polluters to invest in new technologies to lower carbon emissions.

A carbon price will not force industries to close and lay-off workers.

The CFMEU believes the big end of town undertands that carbon pollution will be priced in Australia. That's why Governments and big corporations are demanding low-carbon buildings. The scare campaign being run by big business now is aimed at maximising the compensation they can squeeze from Australian revenue.

CFMEU response to carbon pricing

The CFMEU takes very seriously members' concerns about the cost of living and fears that jobs may be jeopardised by the move to a greener economy. Therefore, the Union's response to carbon pricing is:

  1. All revenue raised must be used to compensate households and provide job security.
  2. Unions must be consulted about industry assistance to ensure job security is the priority in compensation, not protecting excessive profits.
  3. The Government must tighten anti-dumping legislation and abandon further free trade measures while our manufacturing sector is under pressure.

 

Other useful links

  • ACTU Climate Change and Jobs Campaign  - including fact sheets and docs.
  • Investor Group on Climate Change Australia/New Zealand
    The IGCC represents institutional investors (including super funds like Cbus) and others, interested in the impact of climate change on investments.  IGCC Website
  • Keep informed, monitor the debate via In the Press on this website.

Facts

  • Carbon emissions reached a record high in 2010, according to the International Energy Agency. 80% of projected emissions from the power sector for 2010 are already locked in.
  • 78% of New York city's greenhouse gas emissions comes from buildings, mostly from the use of electricity and natural gas - NY Times.
  • The energy used in constructing, occupying and operating buildings was responsible for half the UK's greenhouse gas emissions in 2007 - Sir John Harman Chair, Environment Agency.
  • The Empire State retrofit resulted in 40% energy savings and paid for itself in 3 years.
  • Under the Federal Government's proposed carbon tax, only the biggest businesses will pay anything.
  • Consumers will not be taxed and most will receive compensation or tax cuts for any electricity price rise.
  • A handful of big businesses – GE Capital, AGL, BP, IKEA, Linfox & Pacific Hydro - call for a carbon price asap. “We need to stop thinking this will mean acting ahead of the world,” says GE CEO Steve Sargent. “Germany has broken the nexus between strong economic growth, strong trade growth and increasing greenhouse gas emissions. We [Australia] have grown our economy but are no. 6 of the worst performing greenhouse gas emitters per capita behind Bahrain, Brunei & Qatar.” The Age April 16, 2011 In the Press.
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Action on Climate Change Downloads

  • Action on Climate Change
    Download CFMEU Construction's introductory flyer on tackling climate change in our industry.
    Type: pdf, Size: 1.69 MB
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