Sustainable Business Australia
SBA yesterday called on the federal government to send a strong signal to the EU that an inefficient carbon pricing regime would not deter clean energy policy in Australia and asked the government to take into account the findings of an International Energy Agency report on clean energy progress released yesterday.
“The majority of Members of the European Parliament who voted against a market recovery plan and reducing carbon emissions clearly must take heed of the International Energy Agency’s third progress report tracking clean energy technology –Tracking Clean Energy Progress 2013 – which was launched in India yesterday,” SBA chief executive officer Andrew Petersen said.
“According to the IEA’s latest tracking report on the progress in clean energy technology, the ways countries supply and use energy threaten our security, health, economic prosperity and environment.
“The report says they are clearly unsustainable and that we must change course before it is too late.
“The government now also has the benefit of the IEA’s report in advance of making any budgetary adjustments in view of the EU decision and, for the sake of Australia’s economic security SBA advocates for business and a sustainable future into the long term, rather than political expediency.”
Petersen said it was definitely not the time to water down any carbon reduction scheme as it formed part of a suite of policies and programs including energy efficiency and renewable energy targets that were essential in driving investment and innovation in business behaviour.
Australian Industry Group: axe the carbon price
The Ai Group had a slightly different view to SBA and called on the government to axe the carbon price and move to an emissions trading scheme.
"The EU Parliament's vote to keep carbon prices low highlights how far out of kilter Australia's high fixed carbon prices are," Ai Group CEO Innes Willox said.
“It shows how much Australia will gain by immediately abolishing the fixed carbon tax and moving straight away to emissions trading linked to low European prices,” he said.
"Linking internationally and abolishing the fixed price carbon tax now would cut the carbon price by 80% to $4, reducing electricity prices by more than 1.5c per kilowatt hour and taking pressure off trade exposed industries and households.
“Our emissions targets would still be met through the proven market-based mechanism of emissions trading, without further calls on government spending.
"Europe is meeting its targets more cheaply than expected and they have opted to take those savings to the bank.
“We should make the most of the opportunity to meet our own targets at least cost.”
Nuclear, CCS and fast tracking gas must be on the table: Business Council of Australia
In a speech yesterday to the National Press Club, BCA CEO Tony Shepherd told attendees that both sides of politics needed to look at every possible option when it came to cutting carbon emissions the cheapest way possible.
This would include nuclear energy, carbon capture and storage and gas.
“Business understands the need for sustainability,” he said.
“We recognise the need to balance growth with caring for the environment.
“But that won’t be achieved by locking up or restricting access to resources.
“It will be achieved by unleashing innovation, technology and the country’s best minds to use our resources more sustainably.”
Shepherd’s key recommendations on energy policy include:
- Progress energy market reform by privatising remaining assets and remove remaining retail price regulation;
- Establish a fast-track approvals process for developing new gas supplies;
- Action on climate change shouldn’t put our business competitiveness at a disadvantage by moving ahead of the rest of the world;
- There should be no policy restrictions on the type of technology we use to lower emissions;
- Wind up the renewable energy target while protecting those who have already invested; and
- Nuclear, gas and clean coal should all be on the table – not excluded on ideological grounds.
