Public Policy Papers

Public Policy Paper #2/2016: Accelerating low-emissions energy innovation - an Australian Perspective

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Parent Category: Publications

Authors: Professor Chris Greig, Director of the UQ Energy Initiative and Director of the Dow Centre for Sustainable Engineering Innovation, University of Queensland; and Robert Pritchard, Lawyer, and Executive Director of the Energy Policy Institute of Australia.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull signed on in Paris to 'Mission Innovation', an initiative that aims to double investment in clean energy innovation over five years. 

This paper provides an Australian perspective on how this challenge might be addressed.

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Public Policy Paper #1/2016: Australian climate change policies in 2016: Finding the best policies to meet the target

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Parent Category: Publications

Author: Tony Wood, Program Director, Grattan Institute

Key points:

• For Australian domestic policy, the critical outcome of the COP21 Paris Conference was that the Government set a post-2020 emissions reduction target: 26-28 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030
• The Coalition Government's policies, even if on track to achieve the 2020 target, will need more work to achieve the post-2020 target and the Labor Opposition has yet to formulate its position.
• When political viability and public acceptability are added to criteria of credibility, flexibility, adaptability and low cost, none of the policy options as currently configured fulfils all the criteria.
• The task for government is to address the limitations or individual policies or find a combination that works.
  
  

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Public Policy Paper #3/2014: Community Engagement in Energy Policy in Australia (May 2014)

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Parent Category: Publications

Author: Peta Ashworth, Technology in Society, CSIRO Energy Flagship

Key Points

• A large proportion of the Australian public has a low level of energy literacy and appears increasingly to be confused and concerned about energy and climate change policies
• Resources, including time and money, are required to ensure adequate opportunity for a wider cross section of the community to engage with policy issues
• Engagement processes provide the opportunity for policymakers to hear from a broader cross section of the community to generate energy policy outcomes that transcend individual political stances
• Independent information drawing from beyond the vested interests of individual groups and organisations is critical for these processes and to build trust and legitimacy in the outcomes

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Public Policy Paper #2/2014: The Economic Impact of High Energy Prices in Australia (February 2014)

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Parent Category: Publications

Author: Jim Snow, Director, Oakley Greenwood

In this new era of relatively higher energy prices in Australia, we are witnessing the rapid restructuring of the more energy-intensive or energy cost-exposed businesses, driving many to move production abroad. Many cannot manage multiple changes in costs and have lost the edge that low-cost energy gave them to remain competitive. It is also driving the restructuring of investments in key parts of the energy supply sector in a way that is not largely reflective of an open, competitive market sector.

Key polnts:

• The Australian energy supply industry has found itself in free-fall as demand has declined. 
• Higher energy prices are forcing the restructuring of many energy-intensive or energy cost-exposed businesses, driving production abroad. 
• Many businesses cannot manage multiple changes in costs and have lost the edge that low-cost energy gave them to remain competitive. 
• Many Australians on low or fixed incomes are being propelled into energy poverty – which may lead to a restructuring of welfare benefits and the way people accommodate themselves.

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Public Policy Paper #1/2014: The Current and Future Importance of Coal in the World Energy Economy (January 2014)

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Parent Category: Publications

Author: Ian Cronshaw, Consultant, Office of the Chief Economist, International Energy Agency

Key points:

• Coal is the most important source of power generation globally, accounting for some 41% of global power generation in 2011.
• In non-OECD countries, it accounts for almost half of power output.
• The role of coal in the future will be largely determined by energy policy developments in non-OECD countries.
• Despite all endeavours to diversify energy soources, coal will remain the dominant power sector fuel for at least the next quarter century, as coal fired power generation is projected to increase by more than 70%.
• Increasing the efficiency of coal-fired power plants and the development and gradual utilisation of CCS technology will be essential to reconcile the ongoing importance of coal fired power with the global environmental objectives.

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Public Policy Paper #4/2013: Energy Innovation Policy and the Need for a Portfolio Approach (November 2013)

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Parent Category: Publications

Author: Professor Chris Greig, Professor Energy Strategy, University of Queensland; and Director, UQ Energy Initiative.
 

Key Points:  

• innovation is critical to a low-carbon energy future but it is not adequately valued or incentivised in Australia;
• there is a need to pursue a portfolio approach to energy innovation;
• collaboration, including international collaboration, is also essential; and
• public and stakeholder engagement is necessary to build confidence.

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