Nationals open to net zero deal on climate under the right conditions

A deal on the nation's embattled energy policy could be in the works with the National Party signalling it is open to a net zero emissions target under the right conditions. This comes after newly sworn in Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce said he would take a hard line to protect agriculture businesses and mining jobs. A key backer of Mr Joyce, Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie, has written an op-ed in The Australian today in which she said the methodologies underpinning a move towards net zero must be “fair, enforceable, agreed to by everyone and importantly in our national interest”. “We must be clear ourselves as to what those objectives are before entering such negotiations,” she said. Ms McKenzie argued a failure to do so could see Australia “sleepwalking” into an international agreement which favours rich nations that already rely on low-emissions technology such as nuclear energy or hydroelectricity.

from Breaking National News and Australian News | Daily Telegraph https://ift.tt/3qvfDS9