Economy and climate on the path down from the peak of oil and gas
The world’s real problem is that too many people have too little energy to share.Environment - Kjell Aleklett - posted 14/9/2009

US climate change bill to compete with healthcare
Environmentalists hope push in Congress for climate legislation not overshadowed by healthcare debate. 6 Sep 2009 6:32 PM

Carbon Trust boosts start-up support to help fuel clean tech boom
£1.75m business support for next generation of UK clean tech pioneers

Economists back climate engineering over taxation
Spraying seawater into clouds makes a lot more sense than carbon taxes, a panel of economists argue Spraying seawater droplets into clouds to reflect back sunlight into space could cancel out the past century's increases in global warming, according to new climate change research....

DoE recrafts FutureGen deal
Danny Bradbury, BusinessGreen, Monday 7 September 2009 at 00:15:00
Low-emission coal plant given new lease of life under government funding agreement
Next-generation clean coal initiative FutureGen has inked a deal with the US Department of Energy (DoE) that will see the initiative take on a greater share of the funding burden....

Europe supports calls for better climate change data
The evidence for climate change is in, but now there needs to be more understanding of how the process works, the EC says
The European Commission (EC) has announced it is supporting a new climate change framework to improve the scientific accuracy of climate forecasts and modelling.
In a statement released this week, the EC said it is backing the Global Framework For Climate
Services, which is designed to develop better science-based climate information and understanding in the run-up to the Copenhagen Conference in December.

Science for tomorrow: New developments (Farming Ahead Aug 09)
This article from Farming Ahead contains four stories on transforming primary industries under climate change, science by the people, future foods, future grains and genes that control cereal crop flowering

Tracking to Kyoto and 2020 interim report released
Update on emissions-intensive trade-exposed assistance program
Councils must act now on developing climate change policies
World Heritage properties at increased risk from climate change
Funding priorities announced for Pacific climate change adaptation

APO Research

Hardening Australia: Climate change and national disaster resilience
Athol Yates, Anthony Bergin Australian Strategic Policy Institute11 August, 2009 This report warns that as a result of climate change, disasters are likely to become larger, more complex, occur simultaneously and in regions that have either not experienced the natural hazard previously or at the same intensity or frequency.

The economic impact of the CPRS and modifications to the CPRS
Frontier Economics11 August, 2009 This report commissioned by the coalition and Senator Xenophon examines the opportunities to improve the CPRS in terms of lowering the economic costs and, consequently, potentially tightening the emissions target.

Zero-sum game? The human dimensions of emissions trading
Josh Fear, Richard Denniss The Australia Institute17 August, 2009 The Rudd Government is at odds with a majority of Australians in prioritising the needs of business in its climate-change policy, according to this paper by The Australia Institute.

A new climate strategy beyond 2012: lessons from monetary history
Warwick McKibbin Lowy Institute for International Policy12 August, 2009 Warwick McKibbin outlines the key features that are needed in a new climate change framework beyond Kyoto, drawing on lessons from monetary history.

Peak oil may solve climate change
Unrealistic expectations of fossil energy supply is but one glaring error in the climate change science. Environment - James Bunger - posted 23/7/2009

CCS: investment in futility?
Why invest more than $2 billion in CCS when it can do little more than prolong the uneconomic use of fossil fuels? Science & Technology - Mike Pope - posted 23/7/2009

Major world economies aim for "green growth" as the way out of the crisis
The world’s main economies are looking to “green growth” as the way forward out of the current crisis, opening up new prospects for climate-change negotiations ahead of the COP15 meeting in Copenhagen in December. Ministers from 40 countries, representing 80% of the world economy, discussed the crisis and where next at the OECD's annual ministerial meeting in Paris.

Undisclosed Risk: Corporate Environmental and Social Reporting in Emerging Asia
In a world where the physical impacts of environmental degradation are already being felt, and most governments have embraced some form of regulation to mitigate further damage to the environment, environmental concerns are increasingly relevant to companies’ bottom lines. Companies will both impact and are dependent on the environment and current environmental trends will present companies with both risks and opportunities. In its report Emerging Risk, World Resources Institute (WRI) identified the critical trends that countries in emerging Asia face; trends that have a material financial impact on key sectors in the region (see Box).

At a Glance: Environmental Trends
1. Deforestation
2. Water Scarcity
3. Climate Change
4. Food Security
5. Energy Security
6. Air Pollution
7. Urbanization
8. Population Growt

Korean Prime Minister urges governments to work together for green growth
http://www.oecd.org/document/47/0,3343,en_2649_34487_43135023_1_1_1_1,00.html
http://www.oecd.org/LongAbstract/0,3425,en_2649_34487_43135023_119690_1_1_1,00.html
Korean Prime Minister Han Seung-soo urged governments around the world to work together for a new 'green growth' paradigm based on low-carboneconomic development in his keynote speech at the OECD Forum ...

Climate Change: WDR 2009
http://blogs.worldbank.org/climatechange/upcoming-world-development-report-shedding-light-without-taking-sides
"One of our emerging messages is that poor countries will be disproportionately affected by climate change, even as they strive to reduce poverty and boost economic growth—which remain core priorities."

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 Research

The economics of climate change mitigation: how to build the necessary global action in a cost-effective manner
Jean-Marc Burniaux OECD Economics Department16 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 Industry16 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.

OECD

Building a Cleaner World Economy: Remarks by Angel Gurría, OECD Secretary-General, at the Global Forum on Public Governance: Remarks

IEA expects energy use by new electronic devices to triple by 2030 but sees considerable room for more efficiency in Gadgets and Gigawatts: Press Release

Senate Papers

The CPRS: Economic cost without environmental benefit - interim report
Senate select committee11 May, 2009 The committee recommends that the government reconsider its proposed approach to how Australia can best contribute to a reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions.

11 May Consumers have not forgotten about the pre- crisis warnings of global warming, as a growing wave of consumers are being driven by lifestyle concerns issues such as health and the environment.<http://au.acnielsen.com/site/documents/EcoAussiesPanoTechTraderMAY09.pdf%3ESubmission:

Implementation, Operation and Administration of the Legislation Underpinning Carbon Sink Forests [Australian Parliament Website]From: Kip & Diana Nunn Sent: Saturday, 12 July 2008 4:52 PM To: RRAT, Committee (SEN) Subject: Inquiry into the Implementation , Operation and Administration of the Legislation Underpinning Carbon Sink Forests To Whom It May Concern, I would like to submit that it isDate: 11/05/2009 - Collection: Senate - Sub Collection: Senate Committee Reports ID: www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/rrat_ctte/carbon_sink/submissions/sub01.pdf

Submission: Inquiry into Climate Change and the Australian Agricultural Sector [Australian Parliament Website]D:20080312094050Z Inquiry into Climate Change and the Australian Agricultural Sector KMBT_750 ABARE report, Climate change , Drought assistance programs KONICA MINOLTA bizhub 750 D:20090511152456+10'00' Submission : Inquiry Date: 11/05/2009 - Collection: Senate - Sub Collection: Senate Committee Reports ID: www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/rrat_ctte/climate_change/submissions/sub01.pdf - Size: 404 Kb

Australian Government Media Releases

Wrong climate for the CoalitionThere is something faintly absurd in treating a potential global catastrophe as just another everyday event that can be managed, writes Norman Abjorensen

Action on low carbon & renewable energy

Expansion of the optional CGT loss roll over for complying super funds that merge

CPRS critical for investment certainty

A new target for reducing Australias carbon pollution - media release 4 May 2009
PORTFOLIO: Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/wong/2009/mr20090504c.html
SNIPPET: The Rudd Government has today committed to reduce Australias carbon pollution by 25 per cent below 2000 levels by 2020 if the world agrees to an ambitious global deal to stabilise levels of CO 2 equivalent at 450 parts per million or lower by mid century. The United Kingdom has also recently announced a strengthening of its 2020 target for reducing carbon pollution.

Helping all Australians do their bit on climate change - media release 4 May 2009PORTFOLIO: Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/wong/2009/mr20090504b.html
SNIPPET: The Rudd Government will establish the Australian Carbon Trust to help all Australians to do their bit to reduce Australias carbon pollution and to drive energy efficiency in commercial buildings and businesses. The $75.8 million Australian Carbon Trust will incorporate:.

Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme: support in managing the impact of the global recession - media release 4 May 2009
PORTFOLIO: Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/wong/2009/mr20090504a.html
SNIPPET: The Rudd Government will delay the start of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme by one year to help Australian companies manage the impacts of the global recession. A price cap will apply from commencement of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, with the 5-year EITE review to look at whether the price cap should continue into the future

New measures for the carbon pollution reduction scheme - media release 4 May 2009
PORTFOLIO: Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/wong/2009/mr20090504.html
SNIPPET: You are here: &raquo 2009. The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme will be phased in from 1 July 2011 and a new, ambitious 25 per cent by 2020 target has been put on the table, as part of a package of new measures announced today by the Rudd Government. A commitment to reduce carbon pollution by 25 per cent of 2000 levels by 2020 if the world agrees to an ambitious global deal to stabilise levels of CO2 equivalent in the atmosphere at 450 parts per million or less by 2050.

"Green Stimulus" at the G20

Leaders of the world’s largest economies are meeting this week in London to take on the daunting task of getting the global economy back on track. By coincidence, international climate negotiators are also meeting this week in Bonn attempting the same for the global climate.
There is an essential link between economic recovery and addressing climate change, since both will require massive, well-crafted spending and investments. There is great urgency to both stave off further economic damage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions quickly. Therefore, the "stress test" for every government stimulus package should be whether it will reduce emissions and build communities’ resilience to climate impacts.
Fortunately, the majority of the G20 economic recovery packages announced to date include "green stimulus" measures. These include the United States, China, Japan, Germany and others. When you add them up, some 14 percent of stimulus packages are climate-friendly.
However, as Lord Stern suggests, this figure should be even higher. Stern suggests that 20% of the total stimulus should be "green," with more spent in countries where more opportunities lie, and less in countries that have already made significant investments.
Stern argues that in order to get us on the right "green" track, the G20 must focus on seven strategic areas:
1. improve energy efficiency;
2. upgrade physical infrastructure;
3. support clean technology markets;
4. initiate flagship projects;
5. enhance international R&D;
6. incentivize investment; and
7. coordinate G20 efforts around these.

Parliament of Australia: Senate: Committee: Economics: Inquiry into the Uranium Royalty (Northern Territory) Bill 2008 - Submissions [Australian Parliament Website]
Parliament of Australia: Senate: Committee: Economics: Inquiry into the Uranium Royalty ( Northern Territory ) Bill 2008 - Submissions << Return to previous page Senate Economics Committee Inquiry into the Uranium
Date: 31/03/2009 - Collection: Senate - Sub Collection: Senate Committee Report

News Reports

Crisis makes dealing with climate change harder:Rudd

Obsession with solar not only answer - new report says

Opinion

Earth Hour - a waste of energy?
Affluent societies have become shallow and insincere towards other people and the serious problems facing the world.Environment - Bernie Masters - posted 31/3/2009

Carbon trading must balance environmental, economic and legal needs
Free carbon trading permits would clearly offend the principle of environmental responsibility for the benefit of short-term economic gain.Environment - Nicola Durrant - posted 31/3/2009

World Bank Announcements

Low-Carbon Growth and Poverty http://climatechangeblog.worldbank.org/low-carbon-growth

"What do we need to do to combat the threat of climate change whilst boosting efforts to reduce poverty and tackling the global economic downturn?" http://climatechangeblog.worldbank.org/low-carbon-growth

Who is really fiddling while the climate burns?

Ross Gittins sprayed most economists on climate change policy last weekend ("Economists fiddle while climate burns", the Sydney Morning Herald, and The Age).

Unsubstantiated assertions about motivations behind (unnamed) economists favouring a carbon tax over the emissions trading scheme (ETS) embodied in Australia’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) dominated his piece. I can’t read other economists’ minds, but I can speak about my own motivation, and my reasons for opposing ETS in general and the CPRS in particular.

Gittins (correctly) notes a carbon tax or an ETS can deliver the same emissions reduction and price of carbon. One does so by putting a price on carbon (and forcing a reduction in emissions). The other does it by limiting the supply of permits to emit, raising the price for (scarce) permits. In principle, either approach could work.