A Green New Deal would confront both climate change and social inequality. Its prospects in the United States are uncertain, but Canada should endeavour to develop one of its own anyway.
There are some good explanations for the mismatch between regional support for climate action and the areas where renewable energy is making the biggest inroads.
Gaël Giraud, Agence française de développement (AFD) et Florent Mc Isaac, Agence française de développement (AFD)
A too rapid transition to a low-carbon economy would threaten financial stability. A slow transition would run the risk of exceeding irreversible ecological thresholds.
Suzi Kerr, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
With consultation underway to improve the New Zealand emissions trading scheme, experts argue that a reserve price on emissions units could help rebuild confidence in low-emission investment.
Renewable energy investment is gathering steam throughout the world. Australia’s National Energy Guarantee policy should be made agile enough to jump on board, because this runaway train won’t stop.
The latest annual survey from the Lowy Institute shows that 59% of Australians support strong climate action, and 84% want the government to embrace renewable energy even if it’s more expensive.
Barnaby Joyce had a long history of opposing climate action. His successor Michael McCormack seems to think the same way, despite climate being a growing threat to the Nationals’ rural voters.
The price of renewable energy will fall significantly relative to new-build coal in coming decades, making an all-renewable electricity system more desirable, both economically and environmentally.
The current domestic gas crisis will pass. But if the industry wants to surpass coal and fulfil its role as a ‘transition fuel’, it should lobby for a carbon price to help it on its way.