information for our energy future
information for our energy future
The following energy reports, research and discussion papers can be downloaded from the publisher's website, usually in pdf format. If you require alternative formats please contact the publisher directly.
September 2008
Garnaut Climate Change Review
The report concludes that international agreement on a global goal of 450 ppm CO2e is not possible at this time, so Australia's efforts should be directed towards stabilisation of global greenhouse gas concentrations at 550 ppm. The trajectory for Australia is to reduce emissions net of international trading by 10 per cent from 2000 levels by 2020 (30 per cent per capita), and 80 per cent by 2050 (90 per cent per capita). Over the transition period, permits should be sold by the independent regulatory authority at $20 per tonne in 2010, rising each year by 4 per cent plus the percentage increase of the consumer price index.
Download from: Targets And Trajectories (pdf 514 kb)
July 2008
Energy Supply Association of Australia
This report, by ACIL Tasman for the Energy Supply Association of Australia, has modelled the effects of an emissions trading scheme on Australia's electricity markets. The modelling looked at the effects under 2 scenarios - a 10% or 20% reduction in emissions by 2020, from 2000 levels. The study found that to achieve a 10% reduction in emissions required the closure of 6,700 MW of existing plant and investment in approximately 15,000 MW of new plant. Meeting the 10% reduction will force the closure of the majority of the existing coal plant in Victoria and South Australia by 2020.The 20% renewable electricity target by 2020 could be achieved, adding approximately 5% in real terms to retail tariffs by 2020.
Download from: The impact of an ETS on the energy supply industry (pdf 1.8 MB)
July 2008
Australian Department of Climate Change
The green paper on emissions trading outlines the likely make up of the federal government's emissions trading scheme, to be implemented in 2010. It includes transport fuel, but mitigates the cost for 3 years, while excluding agriculture for at least 5 years. Coal-fired generators will be provided compensation and trade exposed emission intense industries will be given free permits up to 30% of the total. Businesses that emit more than 25,000 tonnes CO2e will be obligated under the scheme.
Download from: Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (pdf 3.15 MB)
July 2008
Commonwealth of Australia
This report details the methodology that the Review is applying to evaluation of the costs and benefits of climate change mitigation; to the application of the science of climate change to Australia; to the international context of Australian mitigation, and to Australian mitigation policy.
Download from: Garnaut Climate Change Review (pdf 13.5 MB)
June 2008
Commonwealth Department of Climate Change
This report provides the latest estimates of Australia’s 2006 greenhouse gas emissions based on the accounting rules that apply to Australia’s 108% Kyoto Protocol emissions target. Australia’s net greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors in 2006 totalled 576.0 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2-e). The energy sector was the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions comprising 69.6% (400.9 Mt CO2-e) of emissions. Offsetting growth in these sectors has been a strong decline in net emissions from the land use, land use change and forestry sector and, in particular, reductions in clearing of forest cover.
Download from: National Greenhouse Gas Inventory 2006 (pdf 381 kb)
June 2008
CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems
This report provides a detailed quantitative analysis of the potential impact of emissions trading on energy prices, energy affordability, and general inflation in Australia. Overall, the analysis strongly implies that the introduction of a carbon price does not need to involve a social cost. Australia can make deep cuts in our greenhouse emissions without reducing its living standards, and – with good policy design – can avoid net adverse impacts on low income or vulnerable households, even if emissions trading involves high carbon prices.
Download from: Energy Affordability, Living Standards and Emissions Trading (pdf 2.8 MB)
June 2008
Greenpeace
This report is an Australian version of the global energy scenario report by Greenpeace published in 2007. It contains an analysis of how future energy supply and use in Australia can be planned and implemented to provide large reductions in emissions. By using renewable energy sources to provide approximately 40% of electricity by 2020, energy related CO2 emissions could be reduced by 37% from 2005 levels with up to 60% reductions possible by 2050. The report also looks at the policy changes that would be required, and the employment benefits that will arise under this scenario.
Download from: energy [r]evolution (pdf 1.4 MB)
May 2008
World Resources Institute
The objective of this report is to examine the challenges of deploying carbon capture and storage under the four broad categories of technology, policy, legal and regulatory framework, and investment, and their implications for CCS as part of the solution to mitigate adverse climate change impacts. WRI concludes that a shift to a low-carbon energy future in the U.S. underpinned by an economically viable national CCS system is possible, but that such a fundamental shift will likely only occur once definitive policies and incentives are put in place that reward investment in and capital formation around improved carbon performance.
Download from: Capturing King Coal (pdf 1.2 MB)
May 2008
World Bank
This report provides an update on the global carbon markets for 2007, which reached a value of $US64 billion, doubling the value in 2006. The report however also identifies a number of emerging problems such as growing delays in getting project accreditation and increasing uncertainty on what mechanisms will continue to be important in the post 2012 period.
Download from: State and Trends of the Carbon Market (pdf 621 kb)
May 2008
Australian National University
This is a background working paper prepared for the Oxford Review of Economic Policy by Ross Garnaut, Stephen Howes, Frank Jotzo and Peter Sheehan. The authors claim there is a compelling case that existing emissions projections are unduly conservative, and that in the absence of effective mitigation over the coming decades emissions will be significantly higher in terms of both growth and level than previously thought. Without all major emitters binding themselves to economy wide targets or policies, given rapid emissions growth, the prospects for the global climate change mitigation effort are bleak.
Download from: Emissions In The Platinum Age (pdf 400 kb)
April 2008
Pew Center on Global Climate Change
This report outlines a sensible business approach to analyzing and adapting to the physical risks of climate change. It focuses on a critical first step in assessing these climate impacts: understanding the potential risks to business and the importance of taking action to mitigate those risks. Not all businesses need to take action now; this paper develops a qualitative screening process to assess whether a business is likely to be vulnerable to the physical risks associated with climate change, and whether a more detailed risk assessment is warranted.
Download from: Adapting to climate Change (pdf 397 kb)
March 2008
Garnaut Climate Change Review
The discussion paper argues for the need to design the scheme on the basis that it will ultimately be part of a global agreement on greenhouse gas mitigation. It suggests fixed limits on emissions through the establishment of defined emissions ‘trajectories’, which would transparently map the pathway to emissions reduction targets. Permits would be regularly released in line with the trajectory. The ETS discussion paper supports the auctioning of all permits, arguing that any increase in the price of goods or services, such as energy, will not be prevented through the free allocation of permits.
Download from: Emissions Trading Scheme (pdf 476 kb)
February 2008
Australian Department of Climate Change
The Australian Department of Climate Change has released the 2007 projections for stationary energy sector greenhouse gas emissions. The figures show continued strong growth in emissions during 2005 (the latest figures), with the 283 Mt CO2-e being 45% higher than the 1990 level.
Download from: Stationary Energy Sector Greenhouse Gas Emissions (pdf 385 kb)