John Quiggin spells out the arguments for tradeable emissions permits.

This paper reviews the typical elements of a technology-focused climate policy (currently adopted by the USA and Australia under the umbrella of Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate-AP6) against the elements of an effective and efficient ideal climate policy. It argues that the technology-focused climate policy falls far short of an ideal climate policy.

John Quiggin examines the role of government as the ultimate risk manager. He argues that risk will be the defining concept of the 21st century, the way that globalisation was for the 1990s. Any party aspiring to win this year's election will need to grapple with 'the great risk shift' - the increased exposure of...

Most urban areas in Australia are facing the prospect of increasing scarcity of water. Further pressure arises from evidence that existing levels of water use in many catchments are environmentally unsustainable.

The increasingly broad scope of international trade agreements has raised widespread concern about the implications for popular sovereignty. Internationally, most attention has been focused on the World Trade Organization. In Australia, the same issue has arisen in relation to the free trade agreement negotiated with the United States in January and recently ratified by the...