Original version

BBC World Service Online

The Climate Question

Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

Why we find it so hard to save our own planet, and how we might change that.

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

The Climate Question: Why is Australia so slow to act on climate change?

Magazines & Reviews

27/06/2021 GMT

Why is Australia so slow to act on climate change?

BBC World Service - The Climate Question, Why is Australia so slow to act on climate change?

Critics say the country is over-promising and under-delivering on climate action.

A provocative question from an Australian listener reveals a tale of two countries – of coal mines and solar farms

Australia is one of the world's biggest per-capita greenhouse gas emitters, and a Climate Question listener wants to know why the world isn't demanding her country do more.

Jodie lives in tropical Queensland, which she says is 'paradise', but it's also a place affected by bushfires, drought, and cyclones. 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says 'Australia can always be relied upon' to deliver action on climate change, but critics at home and abroad point to a record of over-promising and under-delivering.

Observers also blame the country's powerful and profitable fossil fuel industries as a reason why the Australian government has been slow to make progress. 

But is it time, as listener Jodie asks, to give her country a 'a kick up the bum'? 


Contributors:
Dr Niklas Hohne, The New Climate Institute, Cologne 
Greg Bourne, The Climate Council Australia 

Presenters - Neal Razzell and Graihagh Jackson 
Reporter - Issy Phillips, FBi Radio, Sydney 

Producer – Jordan Dunbar 
Editor – Emma Rippon

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Climate Question

Why is Australia so slow to act on climate change?

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Online

About BBC World Service