Far from being a small player with minimal impact on global climate action, Australia under Scott Morrison is actively blocking plans for an accelerated phase out of coal and gas, joining Saudi Arabia and Russia in sabotaging a meaningful outcome at Glasgow climate summit, Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP, said.

The Greens have slammed the PM’s refusal to sign the EU and US global methane pledge, after it was announced this morning that over 100 countries have now become signatories.

It is appalling that Labor is also refusing to back the pledge.

The pledge commits to reducing global methane emissions by 30% on 2020 levels by 2030 and would significantly reduce warming.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young commenting from COP26 in Glasgow this morning local time: 

“Mr Morrison has had a disaster of a world trip - from Rome to Glasgow, he has been embarrassed and called out for his lack of trustworthiness and lack of commitment.

“Here in Glasgow Scott Morrison’s word is mud. Rather than being a respected world leader, the Prime Minister is will leave here with a bad reputation for being a blocker, a liar and sop to the fossil fuel industry.

Following the release of Australia’s Nationally Determined Contribution, Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP has joined the chorus of international criticism of Australia’s plan.

The Nationally Determined Contribution is the official governmental plan that is lodged with the UN and that Scott Morrison will be taking to Glasgow, presented to 197 other states supposedly showing Australia’s pathway to Net Zero.

Labor’s belated recognition that Scott Morrison’s 2030 climate targets aren’t good enough is a move in the right direction, said Greens Leader, Adam Bandt, but he called on Labor to join the Greens in setting science-based 2030 targets now, to help put pressure on Scott Morrison before the Glasgow climate summit at the end of the year.

Labor’s move comes as Scott Morrison has already announced that he is considering ‘updating’ the government's 2030 climate targets before Glasgow, suggesting government targets may be lifted but by an insufficient amount.