Rudd's climate challenge: Action beyond Kyoto

Ratifying the Kyoto Protocol is a great first step but it must be seen as Australia ‘putting its house in order’ ahead of a concerted push to cap and then reduce emissions in the next term of government. Internationally, the Rudd Government must position Australia as a leader on climate change rather than a global pariah. It is time for Australia to start playing a proactive role in shaping a global response to the greatest challenge of our time. This means tackling both Australia’s reliance on coal-fired power and its export coal industry.