OECD Research

The economics of climate change mitigation: how to build the necessary global action in a cost-effective manner
Jean-Marc Burniaux OECD Economics Department 16 June, 2009 This paper examines the cost of a range of national, regional and global mitigation policies and the corresponding incentives for countries to participate in ambitious international mitigation actions.

Sustainable manufacturing and eco-innovation: towards a green economy
OECD Directorate for Science, Technology and Industry 16 June, 2009 This Policy Brief examines how innovation can result in new technological and systemic solutions to environmental challenges and contributes to a wider range of OECD work aimed at analysing the policies that can efficiently support the development and diffusion of eco-innovation.

APO Papers

Sustainable development Tom Edwards / Research Service, Parliament of New South WalesThis paper explores what is meant by sustainable development and considers some of the approaches that have been taken to measuring sustainability using composite indicators and sets of indicators, including interstate and international cases. Posted 08-04-2009

The hidden costs of electricity: externalities of power generation in Australia Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and EngineeringThe key finding of this review is that a greater focus on externalities, preferably quantified in monetary terms, will help Australia to gain maximum social and environmental benefit from the portfolio of electricity generating technologies it will use for meeting emission reduction targets. Posted 03-04-2009

Energy technology for climate change: accelerating the technology response Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and EngineeringThe key finding of this report is that a commitment is needed by government and industry to invest around $6 billion by 2020 on RD&D on new power generation technologies. Posted 03-04-2009

APO papers

Green at fifteen? OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)Drawing on the PISA 2006 study conducted across OECD countries, this report presents information on the sources of students' awareness of environmental science, their attitudes towards the environment and how these attitudes interrelate with their performance in environmental science. Posted 01-04-2009

National Energy Policy: strategic directions paper National Energy Policy, Department of Resources, Energy and TourismThis document sets the scene for the development of the Energy White Paper by broadly mapping out its intended scope and identifying some of the specific work being undertaken as input for consideration. Posted 31-03-2009

Cost effectiveness analysis of WELS Joanne Chong, Alex Kazaglis and Damien Giurco / Institute for Sustaiable Futures, University of Technology SydneyThis study found that the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Scheme (WELS) compares favourably to other water urban water management options which have been recently implemented, or are proposed for implementation, in various Australian states and territories. Posted 31-03-2009

Climate mitigation or technological revolution? A critical choice of futures Graeme Snooks / Global Dynamic Systems CentreMankind currently is not only facing a major environmental challenge, it is embarking on a hugely risky enterprise -- that of climate mitigation. Posted 27-03-2009

How much do environmental problems cost?

4/11/08 - There is fear that the current economic crisis might overshadow environmental concerns and there are already signs of some governments trying to backtrack on earlier commitments. But can we afford to delay acting on these environmental problems?

A new OECD publication, Cost of Inaction on Key Environmental Challenges, shows that not responding adequately to these challenges can be expensive, in some cases representing a significant drag on OECD economies. It draws upon existing information on “costs of inaction”, and provides guidance on the complex task of ‘costing’ environmental and resource degradation.

Carbon Trust helps UK businesses save £1bn in energy costs

The Carbon Trust has helped UK businesses save £1billion in energy costs and cut carbon emissions by 17 million tonnes since its inception in 2001, according to new figures released today. Businesses working with the Carbon Trust cut their carbon footprint by approximately two million tonnes last year - an increase of around half a million tonnes compared to the previous year.

PM cautions that emissions trading will not be cost-free

26/8/08:

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has warned business his government's commitment to tackling climate change will come at a cost.

Rudd was responding to the Business Council of Australia's (BCA) finding that emissions trading would force a third of Australian businesses to go under unless the scheme was fundamentally redesigned.