Scott Morrison defiant as UN bans Australia from climate conference
News.com.au
DECEMBER 11, 2020i
Scott Morrison is sure an international climate summit that banned Australia will be “very nice” but insists he is not bothered by the snub.
The Prime Minister will not be among 70 world leaders invited to speak at the UN’s virtual Climate Action Summit this weekend after Australia’s climate ambitions were deemed unacceptably weak to be offered a place.
Countries were invited to make a proposal before the summit, outlining concrete steps to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Scott Morrison insists he’s not bothered by the snub.
Mr Morrison had planned to announce Australia would ditch its controversial use of Kyoto carry-over credits to meet its Paris Agreement commitments. But the pledge was not considered significant enough to warrant an invitation.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will co-host the online forum, and the snub has reportedly angered the Morrison government. But Mr Morrison said Canberra and London had agreed on the need for a consensus on energy technology.
He told reporters on Friday his government would “continue to just get on with the job” despite the rejection.
“I wish them well for the summit. I’m sure it’ll be very nice,” he said.
“What matters here is what you get done, not what you talk about. Australia’s getting it done, and I’m very proud of what Australians are achieving.