Coal producers in Australia have seen a sudden upswing in prices and demand amid an energy crisis. It can’t continue, as China moves to shore up energy independence and cut emissions.
Christian Downie, Australian National University e Llewelyn Hughes, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
Japan, South Korea and China are all moving away from overseas coal financing. For Australia, the writing is on the wall – the clean energy transition is inevitable.
The Paris Agreement desperately needs to be updated. Currently the big exporters take no responsibility for the emissions created when those fossil fuels are burned overseas.
Many Asian nations are shunning fossil fuels, presenting a huge opportunity for Australia’s renewables sector. And one massive project has stepped up to the plate.
Llewelyn Hughes, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
The Japanese government will retire its fleet of old, inefficient coal-fired generation by 2030. If Japan’s commitment to coal weakens, our exports can expect a big hit.
Some coal workers have the right skills and work in the right location to get a job in renewables. But many, such as semi-skilled machine operators, cannot.
The ‘thin green line’ of resistance against any new infrastructure for shipping oil, gas and coal abroad has won many battles. But it faces a new source of pressure: the Trump administration.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has said his government’s 2030 climate target will be good for the environment and jobs – and good for protecting the nation’s coal industry.
“India needs Australian coal” is a view promoted by government and industry alike. But is there really a case for Australian coal in India? The evidence suggests not.
Senior Lecturer in International Relations, Discipline of Politics & International Relations, Macquarie School of Social Sciences, Macquarie University