Australian climate change policy—where to from here?
Tim NelsonAGL Energy.
The APPEA Journal 55(2) 418-418 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ14053
Published: 2015
Abstract
In the past decade, Australia’s approach to climate change policy has been erratic. Both major political parties announced support for a domestic emissions trading scheme (ETS) in 2007, but bipartisan agreement evaporated in 2009. An ETS was established in 2011, but was repealed in 2014. The Commonwealth Government has subsequently introduced a Direct Action climate change policy. There is absence of bipartisan agreement about the best long-term policy approach. This extended abstract provides some insights for future Australian climate change policy using the lessons provided from previous policies and international experience. Strategically, Australia would be well placed to consider how best to manage the risks associated with potential substitution of coal and gas in power generation globally, given the strategic importance of these export industries for Australia.
Tim Nelson is the Head of Economics, Policy and Sustainability at AGL Energy. In this role, he is responsible for AGL’s sustainability strategy, greenhouse accounting and reporting, AGL’s energy and greenhouse research, AGL’s corporate citizenship program, Energy for Life and energy and greenhouse policy. Tim is also an adjunct associate professor at Griffith University and has had several papers published in Australian and international peer-reviewed journals. He has presented at conferences in Australia and internationally in Asia and Europe. Tim holds a first class honours degree in economics and is a chartered secretary. |
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