As much we try our darnedest to make our individual habits more sustainable, it’s often actions from big dogs in governments or corporations that can make the biggest dent.
Take Colgate, for example. Knowing that over a billion toothpaste tubes are chucked out per year in the US, the company spent more than five years working to develop a recyclable tube.
Most pesky tubes have a layer of aluminium to keep the toothpaste fresh, so getting around that speed bump proved difficult. But it was done! And rather than keeping it to themselves, Colgate decided to share the tech with, well, everyone, so all manufacturers can help us with more sustainable brushing.
Wholesome, hey?
So, let’s keep the positive steps rolling, and suss out what more big dogs are up to.
We have a new government, so let’s have a geez at what it’s doing in the sustainable space, shall we?
New legislation, baby
Just last month, the government passed a new climate change bill — the first climate change legislation we’ve had in over a decade.
Basically, the bill will enshrine two reduction targets into law: a 43% cut to 2005 greenhouse gas emission levels by 2030, and net zero emissions by 2050.
Overhauling the electricity grid
Under the Powering Australia Plan, the government is planning to invest billions into upgrading our electricity grid to support more renewable power.
Sounds good, but it gets better. As a nice little side perk, it will give us more reliable electricity than what we’re working with right now, while also cutting our bills down. My wallet is stoked to hear it!
Modelling also suggests this Powering Australia plan will generate a whopping $76 billion in investment and create 604,000 jobs by 2030.
New power for the Climate Change Authority
The Climate Change Authority is an independent board that gives the government advice on climate policy.
The Climate Change Authority is going to be empowered in two new areas. Firstly, the board will advise on new greenhouse gas emission reduction targets that get included in an NDC (AKA the Nationally Determined Contribution, which is a plan that every country involved in the Paris Agreement has to do every five years).
Basically, the government needs to follow the CCA’s advice and tell us why if they don’t. We love accountability.
An annual check-in
In more good accountability news, we’ll also be getting an annual statement on how we’re tracking with climate change action. The Climate Change Minister, who is currently Chris Bowen, will address parliament each year with an update on our targets.
If you’ve been feeling weighed down by climate news, keep this bad boy bookmarked as a little reminder of what’s on the way. We all need a bit of hope sometimes!
