Page 10 - Climate Control News Magazine March 2021

News
Parliament House, Canberra
Government will negotiate net zero target
ABOVE: Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, caves in to net zero pressure.
ABOVE RIGHT: Independent MP, Zali Steggall, introduced the Private Members Bill to parliament.
However, the federal government has resisted a net zero target and is opposed to climate change legislation.
The government’s opposition to the bill makes it unlikely it will be debated in parliament, but it has won support from more than 100 businesses and organisations including the Australian In- dustry Group, the Australian Medical Associa- tion, the Council of Small Business Organisa- tions and Origin Energy.
After a lot of public pressure the Prime Minis- ter, Scott Morrison, said he hoped to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, but it is a goal that di- vides opposition MPs.
The 2050 target remains a divisive issue with- in the Coalition, with conservatives declaring it too expensive while many Liberals acknowledge calls from their constituents to encourage the government to embrace the goal.
The Australian Greens support a net zero target by 2035 while Labor’s climate spokesman Chris Brown said consultation is underway to develop a pathway to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
More than 100 countries have set net zero tar- gets including New Zealand, Hungary, Canada and the European Union.
The United Kingdom introduced legislation and committed to a net zero target by 2050 back in 2019.
DESPITE WIDESPREAD SUPPORT for the Cli- mate Change Bill which was introduced to par- liament by independent Member of Parliament, Zali Steggall, the federal government has contin- ued to oppose the legislation.
The Private Members Bill which provides a framework for a net zero emissions target by 2050 was introduced by the Member for Warrin- gah last year.
It was the focus of a parliamentary inquiry in January which received more than 6,500 sub- missions.
In its submission to the inquiry, the Business Council of Australia (BCA) described Steggall’s plan
as a “science-based, risk-management” approach to climate change that was deserving of support.
BCA CEO, Jennifer Westacott, said the high- level policy framework outlined in the proposed legislation represents an important starting point for the development of a clearly defined, nationally guided and coordinated climate poli- cy response.
She said a clearly articulated climate policy destination and a pathway to get there would lead to new job opportunities, greater econom- ic resilience in regional Australia, a stronger competitive position internationally and sus- tained growth in productivity and real incomes.
CLIMATECONTROLNEWS.COM.AU
Beijer Ref acquires local supplier
ABOVE: Beijer Ref CEO, Per Bertland.
BEIJER REF HAS acquired Australian air con- ditioning distribution company Complete Air Supply (CAS).
CAS is a manufacturer and distributor of duct- ing and associated fittings and is an existing supplier to Beijer Ref in Australia.
The distributor has three branches in Queens- land and 40 employees with annual sales top- ping $US16 million.
Beijer Ref already has a strong presence in Australia with Kirby and ACD Trade.
Beijer Ref CEO, Per Bertland, said Austral- ia is an important market for the refrigera- tion wholesaler.
“This acquisition greatly enhances our position in the residential ducted market and, more broadly into the commercial segment of our industry, CAS’s products, experience and expertise will comple- ment our air conditioning product offering as well as adding to our existing customer base,” he said.
The acquisition was formally completed on February 1, 2021.
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