Senate debates

Monday, 18 June 2012

Questions on Notice

Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (Question No. 1716)

Photo of Christine MilneChristine Milne (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, upon notice, on 14 March 2012:

With reference to a media release available on the department's website, dated 10 December 2010, which states 'To date, Australia has allocated A$473 million of its A$599 million fast-start commitment, including new funding allocations announced in Cancun. These include:

            (1) For each of the five funds or programs listed above, as well as any more recent climate finance related funds or programs, can a breakdown be provided detailing:

              (a) the total expenditure, both to date and projected, by financial year; and

              (b) what these funds have been or will be spent on.

            (2) What evidence is there that this expenditure has not and will not displace overseas    development assistance funding.

            Photo of Penny WongPenny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | | Hansard source

            The Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

            Australia provides regular progress reports regarding the delivery of its fast-start finance commitment, with the most recent progress report being provided in December 2011 at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations in Durban, South Africa. Australia's next official report is due with the secretariat to the UNFCCC in May 2012. Australia's reports are made available to the public on the Department's website.

            In the December 2011 report, the latest data regarding the allocation and disbursement is outlined. The reporting also includes a range of case studies, which provide greater detail of on-the-ground fast-start activities.