You could be forgiven for missing it, but on the Friday afternoon before Christmas, federal environment minister Greg Hunt released the draft details of the Emissions Reduction Fund – the centrepiece of…
We need more types of electricity in our mix.
Flickr/Chip_2904
Australia has a problem with its power system that goes to the core of many issues we’re facing at the moment — increasing coal and gas prices, changing electricity usage, and climate change. That’s the…
Making too much money can be the undoing of an emissions reduction scheme.
Images_of_Money/Flickr
Carbon (emissions) taxes have proved unpalatable world-wide, compared to (carbon) emissions trading schemes. But taxes give stable carbon prices while prices in emissions trading schemes yo-yo, plunge…
We should not be debating a choice between direct action and carbon pricing: we need both, but with credible, well-designed mechanisms. Why we need both We need a carbon price based on certificate trading…
Tony Abbott can have an emissions trading scheme and be a good conservative politician.
Dean Lewins/AAP
Perhaps the Abbott government can solve its climate change problem by revisiting an old Coalition policy. Before the 2013 election the Coalition promised to cut the “carbon tax”, introduce direct action…
Messing around with climate change makes no sense.
Michael Lloyd
Bill Hare, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
The Abbott Government’s proposed repeal of Australia’s climate legislation will be heard through history. This action is being taken at a time when the rest of the world is moving in the other direction…
The Coalition has campaigned fiercely on its opposition to a carbon price.
AAP Image/Alan Porritt
Australia’s new government is likely to repeal the carbon price, by striking a deal with crossbenchers in the Senate after July 2014, or possibly going to a special election if it looks electorally attractive…
The economic costings from both parties rely on wildly optimistic PEFO figures.
AAP
The economic promises of both the Coalition and the ALP rely on two “big taxes”: the mining tax and the carbon tax. This week, the Coalition revealed what it believes it will save from abolishing them…
The Coalition’s Direct Action plan is missing some funding.
AAP Image/Alan Porritt
By now you’ll know the Coalition has dramatically under-budgeted its Direct Action plan on climate change by A$4 billion. On the Coalition’s current budget the plan will fail to meet Australia’s emissions…
If we don’t meet renewable energy targets electricity prices may go up.
Flickr/Chaddles
Kevin Rudd’s move to cut the carbon price and move to an emissions trading scheme is meant to ease the cost of living. Meanwhile the Coalition would like us to drop carbon pricing and trading altogether…
Cheap emissions permits means industry hasn’t traded in its polluting ways.
David Davies/PA
Raphael Calel, London School of Economics and Political Science and Cameron Hepburn, London School of Economics and Political Science
When the carbon price collapsed to below €3 in April this year, EU policymakers sought to prop up carbon prices by a deal that would delay the release of carbon allowances (known as “backloading”). This…
We’re comfortable buying things we can touch, but we can get used to a market in intangibles.
Jeremy Brooks
Many are puzzled by the political theory of carbon markets. Why does the Institute for Public Affairs – a libertarian think tank – oppose a market in carbon? Tim Wilson, for example, thinks that private…
Over a million Australians are now green electricity generators: how much difference will the shift to an ETS make?
Heidi Blanton
There is little doubt that Kevin Rudd’s plan to bring forward international linking and trading of emission permits is a smart political move. It removes a key option for Tony Abbott. Now Mr Abbott is…
“If you think electricity is costing you more under Labor, then you’re right. Under the Rudd/Gillard Labor government, electricity prices have gone up 94%. And don’t forget: the cost will go up even more…
Reducing emissions with a trading scheme rather than a tax can be risky business.
Brian Yap
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has told Australia we’re shifting to an emissions trading scheme one year earlier than anticipated, with Treasurer Chris Bowen suggesting it will address “cost of living pressures…
One year on, what difference has the carbon price made?
AAP Image/Alan Porritt
Australia’s carbon pricing mechanism has been vilified by the Federal Opposition and certain members of the business community, but it is a key part of Australia’s response to climate change. So one year…
Reducing carbon pollution has bi-partisan support. It wouldn’t hurt to re-open debate on the method.
takver/flickr
Carbon pricing has helped to destroy three political leaders - Malcolm Turnbull, Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard - since 2009. Why would a re-minted Prime Minister Rudd want to touch such a poisoned chalice…
How much difference will unplugging the carbon tax make?
jnyemb/Flickr
Tony Abbott has said he will scrap the carbon “tax”, leading to a fall in electricity prices. In his budget reply speech he stated: We will abolish the carbon tax – because that’s the quickest way to reduce…