Carbon price, and rural renewable energy now likely in Australia
The process agreed between the Greens and Labor, the Climate Change Committee, will likely provide the pathway forward…rural communities in Australia will see greater development in renewable energy and clean energy infrastructure
Election briefing – climate wrap. Lexology, Norton Rose Elisa de Wit and Dominic Adams, AustraliaSeptember 9 2010 The outcome of the election means that Australia may again move towards putting a price on carbon….. Continue reading
There’s money in them there solar rooftops
So long as the sun comes up each morning, this system will keep producing power at the same price, whereas most industry forecasters anticipate that retail electricity prices will rise at double-digit rates.
China races ahead in renewable energy investment
..In the second quarter of 2010, China attracted $11.5 billion in asset-financing for clean technologies, more than Europe and the U.S. combined,
China Supplants U.S. at Top of Ernst & Young Ranking for Renewable Energy, Bloomberg, By Alex Morales – Sep 9, 2010 China overtook the U.S. to lead a quarterly index of the most attractive countries for renewable energy projects for the first time, according to a list compiled by the global accounting firm Ernst & Young. Continue reading
Australia’s grand opportunity for renewable energy
The Greens, of course, received by far the biggest swing of any party at this election and, at almost 4%, a very sizable swing on any definition. That swing was achieved on the back of having put to the electorate by far the most ambitious plans for renewable energy of any political party ever in Australian history. Our policies included an explicit commitment to 100% renewable energy, a comprehensive feed-in tariff for all forms of renewable energy at all scales, loan guarantees for industrial-scale baseload renewable energy power plants, an increased renewable energy target, pre-planning processes to create renewable energy parks, a national roll-out of the smart grid and much more. That platform now has a key bargaining position in the new parliament, with a Greens member of the House of Representatives supporting the minority Labor government and 9 Senators holding the balance of power upstairs as of July next year……..
Labor election victory in Australia because of climate change issues?
Labor stance sways independents, The Age, September 8, 2010 TONY Windsor and Rob Oakeshott have nominated climate-change policies as a key part of their decision to back a Labor government.Mr Windsor said it was time Australia ”stood back and revisited” the climate change and renewable energy debate in the wake of the rejection and subsequent shelving of Labor’s emissions trading scheme.Mr Windsor said country Australia could see great advantages from renewable energy and other climate-change policies. Mr Oakeshott also indicated emissions trading was part of his decision.Labor stance sways independents
Labor victory in Australia – renewable energy a key issue
“Regional Australia will benefit not only from harvesting clean energy and carbon farming but also from avoiding the worst impacts of climate change if Australia can help build global ambition for action.”
Renewable energy key to Independents’ support for Labor — EcoGeneration , Tue, 7 September 2010 Independents Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor both cited climate change and renewable energy sources as key issues in their decision to support the Australian Labor Party.Prime Minister Julia Gillard will now lead the Labor Party in forming a minority government Continue reading
Climate Change the spur for green movement in Australia, UK, Germany
“There are growing numbers of young people reading and accepting the science of climate change.”- Adam Bandt, Greens MP
Green Party Assumes Pivotal Role in New Australian Government | SolveClimate.com, 7 Sept 10, Like the UK and Germany, a surge in popularity has given the environmental movement an unprecedented parliamentary presence in Australia this year, prompting suggestions that electorates are punishing mainstream parties for failing to act decisively on climate change. Continue reading
Australia waits for political action on energy future
Like many Australians, I am fed up with this ridiculous election. As I write, we all wait for the three Independents to decide on which political party will form government today.
At least, the Independents have surprised us in areas such as support for renewable energy, and climate change action.
With the success of the Greens in the election, some hope for action appears –
perhaps not until July 2011, when the nine Greens will take their places in the Senate.
One wonders how much harm the nuclear/fossil fuel lobby can achieve through their servant parties, before July 2011
Renewable energy investment surging in China
“The sector has strong growth potential given that the Chinese government policy is clearly supportive,“……with the needs for energy security and energy demand from countries like China, the move to renewables is unstoppable, and you’re increasingly seeing renewable energy companies that are good value,”
China Goes Green, Keeps Bankers and Investors Busy – WSJ.com. By NISHA GOPALAN, 6 Sept 10, Propelled in part by the backing of powerful Beijing bureaucrats, green-themed Chinese companies are set to reap billions of dollars from public offerings to new investors in coming months…. Continue reading
Carbon price essential for Australia, say 19 Energy Retailors
19 Australian Energy Retailers Back A Carbon Price : Renewable Energy News, 6 Sept 10, The Clean Energy Council has released an open letter signed by nineteen of Australia’s major energy retailers – the letter also reminds us these companies are major employers and supporters of renewable energy projects in regional Australia – which says that a carbon price is essential to meeting our emissions reduction target of 5 per cent below 2000 levels by 2020……
“We welcome and congratulate the role the independents are taking in ensuring climate change policy remains on the radar of the major political parties,” Mr Warren said. “Renewable energy is also great for rural and regional Australia – it will create growth, greater economic diversity and help drought-proof farms and regions.”The open letter can be viewed here (PDF)
19 Australian Energy Retailers Back A Carbon Price : Renewable Energy News
Australian capital going to overseas low carbon industries
great a risk of capital leakage – money moving offshore for low-carbon exposure, the money that will go to china, Europe or south America where governments are setting policies in place…....Not that it got a heck of a lot of media traction. That was afforded only to miners warning of the perils of a mining tax,
Australia’s capital leak, Business Spectator, Giles Parkinson, 6 Sep 2010, Climate Spectator As various industry groups marshal their forces to try and add momentum to the push for a carbon price, institutional investors are also mobilising to ensure that their members are not excluded from the opportunities of a low-carbon economy. Continue reading
Australia should follow the successes in Europe with a carbon tax
It is to be hoped the discussion will soon turn from the rather nebulous concept of a carbon price to actual mechanisms – and for that the most appropriate tool is a carbon tax.
No need to be afraid of a tax on carbon, Sydney Morning Herald, Fiona Armstrong, September 4, 2010 – The most significant policy issue in the deal struck between the Australian Greens and the Australian Labor Party was that of climate policy. Continue reading
Australians can cut power bills with solar hot water subsidies
Half not aware of hot water subsidies * Paul Cleary * The Australian * September 03, 2010 1 FEWER than one in two Australians are aware of the government subsidies available to install energy-saving hot water products. Continue reading
Australia’s future economy – non nuclear, non uranium – theme for September
It’s time for Australia to see through the nuclear hype, and move towards 21st Century industries that have a real future.
Australia’s ‘resources boom’ cannot last indefinitely, and already threatens this country with an imbalance of industries. Australia needs to foster its more permanent industries – they will still be there when the mining quarries are emptied.
Mineral exports are at present a large contributor to the Australian economy, but there is no reliance on uranium, which is only a modest contributor.
Australia pioneered renewable energy technologies, and could lead again in these industries.
Meanwhile uranium mining and nuclear waste are negatives for Australia’s tourism industry, Australia’s agriculture, and our precious fresh water and groundwater.
It’s time to promote Australia as a clever, forward-looking society, and to see through the lobbying of desperate corporations and their propaganda for the ailing, aging, out-dated nuclear industry.
Energy efficiency and renewable technologies can combine beautifully with Australia’s needs to conserve water, promote agriculture, and to adapt to climate change, which is already happening in Australia.
For example – drought areas offer the potential for solar farms. Australia’s hot weather makes decentralised solar power a very economic option for homes, farms, schools, small and large businesses
As ‘nuclear renaissance’ founders, nuke company moves to wind energy
Exelon’s actions often foreshadow where the energy industry is headed…..the momentum for the much-touted nuclear renaissance has slowed to a crawl
(USA) What Exelon’s Wind Energy Buy Means For the Future of Nuclear Power, BNET, By Kirsten Korosec | September 1, 2010 Exelon (EXC) announced this week it was buying John Deere Renewables for as much as $900 million, a purchase that marks the company’s entrance into the wind generation business and suggests its lack of confidence in a nuclear energy renaissance. Continue reading
1 This month
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
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