A cost-effective, timely energy transition that unlocks the potential for new industries, supports affected regions and protects eco-systems is not guaranteed – it is an outcome achievable in both Germany and Australia with effective policy. This paper focuses on the important role that policy has to play in helping Australia and Germany transition to renewable...

This paper presents a record of Australian climate change policies. Key international developments are also included to provide global context. Introduction Climate change is a long-term, global problem. Long-term problems generally require stable but flexible policy implementation over time. However, Australia’s commitment to climate action over the past three decades could be seen as inconsistent...

This paper presents a record of Australian climate change policies, including key international developments to provide global context. Introduction Climate change is a long-term, global problem. Long-term problems generally require stable but flexible policy implementation over time. However, Australia’s commitment to climate action over the past three decades could be seen as inconsistent and lacking...

Australia’s emissions trading scheme ETS, known as the Carbon Pricing Mechanism (CPM), came into force on 1 July 2012 as part of the Clean Energy Future package. As the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Greg Combet has stated frequently, Australia is not the only country to have legislated an ETS. In 2010 the...

In one of his first acts as Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon. Kevin Rudd MP ratified the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in December 2007. [1] Under this international agreement, Australia is committed to maintaining its national greenhouse gas emissions at (or below) 108 per cent of...