Location

Room 108

Start Date

4-7-2012 10:15 AM

End Date

4-7-2012 12:00 PM

Description

How does one effectively reduce greenhouse gases? Two ways of doing this is through either lowering the production of ghg’s through less activity, eg energy efficiency, or through the availability of substitutes that produce less ghg’s.

Currently we have a high demand for greenhouse gas producing activities. In simple terms increasing the price, say, of carbon through either a tax or cap and trade scheme can decrease demand. However, lessening demand is a complex proposition, depending on the elasticity of the product, the purchasing power of the consumer and the availability of substitutes. Energy efficiency and technical innovation are two methods of reducing ghg’s. The question is how can these be most effectively achieved?

This paper will argue that there needs to be a combination of both and that a successful mitigation strategy will have to include a way of effectively encouraging the availability of substitutes, through technological innovation. This paper will examine aspects of Australia’s clean energy legislation package and its Energy Efficiency Opportunites Act to see whether it has the potential to achieve this aim.

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Jul 4th, 10:15 AM Jul 4th, 12:00 PM

Australia's Brand New Clean Energy Legislation Package - How Can it Reduce Emissions?

Room 108

How does one effectively reduce greenhouse gases? Two ways of doing this is through either lowering the production of ghg’s through less activity, eg energy efficiency, or through the availability of substitutes that produce less ghg’s.

Currently we have a high demand for greenhouse gas producing activities. In simple terms increasing the price, say, of carbon through either a tax or cap and trade scheme can decrease demand. However, lessening demand is a complex proposition, depending on the elasticity of the product, the purchasing power of the consumer and the availability of substitutes. Energy efficiency and technical innovation are two methods of reducing ghg’s. The question is how can these be most effectively achieved?

This paper will argue that there needs to be a combination of both and that a successful mitigation strategy will have to include a way of effectively encouraging the availability of substitutes, through technological innovation. This paper will examine aspects of Australia’s clean energy legislation package and its Energy Efficiency Opportunites Act to see whether it has the potential to achieve this aim.