Australian PM says the foundation of the world’s energy needs will be coal and that the fossil fuel will help developing countries

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

The Australian prime minister, Tony Abbott, has stood by his defence of coal, saying it is the foundation of Australia’s foreseeable future, just days after a United Nations climate report called for an urgent reduction in carbon emissions.

“For the foreseeable future coal is the foundation of our prosperity. Coal is the foundation of the way we live because you can’t have a modern lifestyle without energy,” the prime minister said on Tuesday.

“You can’t have a modern economy without energy and for now and for the foreseeable future, the foundation of Australia’s energy needs will be coal. The foundation of the world’s energy needs will be coal.”

Abbott said coal increased the prosperity of people in developing countries.

“If we are serious about raising people’s living standards in less-developed countries, if we are serious about maintaining and improving living standards in countries like Australia we have to be serious about making the best use of coal.”

Last month at the opening of a coalmine in central Queensland, the prime minister warned against the “demonisation” of fossil fuel.

“Coal is good for humanity, coal is good for prosperity, coal is an essential part of our economic future, here in Australia, and right around the world,” he said.

On Sunday the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a synthesis report that brought together findings from climate working groups containing scientists from around the world. It said governments must act now to reverse the impacts of climate change.

“Continued emission of greenhouse gases will cause further warming and long-lasting changes in all components of the climate system, increasing the likelihood of severe, pervasive and irreversible impacts for people and ecosystems,” the report said.

It said greenhouse gas emissions were at an 800,000-year high, which puts Earth on track for a 4C temperature rise.

It said the cost of switching to cleaner energy was much less than the cost of climate change, and refuted claims that fossil fuels were good for developing countries, saying the poor would suffer the consequences of a volatile ecosystem.

“Climate change will amplify existing risks and create new risks for natural and human systems. Risks are unevenly distributed and are generally greater for disadvantaged people and communities in countries at all levels of development,” it said.

The UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, urged business people on Monday to “reduce your investments in the coal- and fossil fuel-based economy and [move] to renewable energy”.

“Science has spoken. There is no ambiguity in the message,” he said. “Leaders must act. Time is not on our side.”