Australia\u2019s national climate policy does not extend beyond 2020.The current commitment is to cut carbon emissions by 5% below 2000 levels by 2020, although a number of climate experts query whether the Abbott government\u2019s Direct Action policy will achieve that target.<\/p>\n
The WWF\/ANU report contends that Australia is well placed to make an orderly and low-cost transition to decarbonisation if the government can send clear and predictable policy and regulatory signals to the market, and resist special pleading from the owners of carbon intensive assets.<\/p>\n
The report does not produce new modelling or quantify the costs associated with structural adjustment or abatement, but it synthesises a body of existing research to highlight the fact that it is becoming cheaper to cut carbon emissions.It argues that renewable technology options are becoming cheaper while fossil fuel alternatives remain static, and that emissions growth is beginning to slow, both regionally and globally.<\/p>\n
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It points out that China \u2013 the main driver of rising global emissions over the past decade \u2013 has entered a period of slowing economic growth \u201cand the country is decoupling economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions, in a deliberate effort to move to a lower-carbon growth model\u201d.<\/p>\n
One of the major arguments against decarbonisation over the past decade has been the high cost associated with the move away from fossil fuels. The report says the long view now suggests previous work has overestimated the costs associated with reducing pollution.<\/p>\n
It notes specifically that the costs of solar and wind have fallen much faster than anticipated. \u201cFor example, large-scale solar panel power stations are already only half the cost that the Treasury\u2019s 2008 and 2011 modelling studies estimated they would be in the year 2030.\u201d<\/p>\n
The report says if there were clear and stable policy settings in place to support investment in renewables then Australia could achieve a cost-effective transition to a near-zero carbon system by around 2040. The costs of mitigation would be reduced further if the government allowed the use of international permits.<\/p>\n
National manager of WWF, Kellie Caught, said the report sets out what governments need to do. \u201cThe solution is clear: set an ambitious long-term goal for reducing carbon pollution, and take decisive action to make it happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Source: http:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Australia is well placed to reduce emissions at low cost because the costs of carbon-free technologies such as wind and solar have fallen significantly in recent years. A WWF report produced in collaboration with the Australian National University argues Australia … Continue reading