Amid Russia’s war on Ukraine, spiralling inflation and energy shortages, tackling climate change has been central to the recovery plans of the world’s biggest economies.
When it comes to emissions reduction, Australia needs a proper national conversation and a long-term plan. The climate change bill about to pass parliament doesn’t provide this.
Perhaps not since the marriage equality vote has the passage of a bill in the House of Representatives carried such a combination of substantive and symbolic import as the Albanese government’s climate legislation.
The Greens backed Labor’s moderate emissions cuts to avoid being seen as unwilling to compromise. But it’s only the start of a new wrestle over climate ambition.
The public would be kept up to date on progress towards meeting Australia’s 43% emissions reduction target with an annual ministerial statement and oversight by the Climate Change Authority
Our new analysis suggests the vast majority of carbon credits granted for regrowing native forests either has not occurred, or would have occurred anyway.
Companies are buying renewable energy certificates to meet their emissions targets, but new research suggests that the bulk of these purchases do not lead to actual emission reductions.
Researchers found barriers to a productive conversation in Australia about the just transition – not least, an almost complete absence of the federal government in talking about or planning for it.
Managing the transition to a net-zero emissions economy must be a priority task for the next government. Our strategic and economic success depends on it.