UK dropped Paris climate change targets in Australia FTA
The United Kingdom dropped climate change targets in order to get the free trade agreement with Australia over the line, a government document has revealed. This report on Sky News UK last night by their deputy political editor Sam Coates where he obtained a cabinet office email which showed that in order to get the Australia UK Free Trade deal through, the Brits dropped requirements under the Paris agreement to do enough to drop temperatures, Sky News Australia Political Editor Andrew Clennell said. The email said: The Business Secretary has agreed that, in order to get the Australia FTA over the line, DIT can drop both of the climate asks. The British government defended this story, when it broke last night, saying the first time there was the mention of climate in an Australian British free trade agreement. Trade Minister Dan Tehan has put out a statement saying: Australia has remained consistent that all our FTAs should focus on international cooperation and meeting existing multilateral environment commitments. Australia and the UK have agreed to work cooperatively on environmental issues including emissions reduction." Read More Our Apps