Buying international carbon credits might end up more expensive than purchasing units created through domestic forestry projects, New Zealand's climate change minister Paula Bennett told business leaders today.
Two leading Australian energy economists have recommended a reverse auction to manage closure of unwanted brown coal-fired power plants, and the UK government has set a schedule for the end of coal-fired power in that country.
Dramatically overstating emissions projections might make it easy for Australia to meet its 2020 reduction target but the practice may also attract criticism for inadequately contributing to international efforts, says market analyst RepuTex.
Major investors will play an increasingly active role in ensuring fossil fuel companies manage their emissions, according to Nathan Fabian of the Investor Group on Climate Change.
Carbon market analysts agree that the EU vote to withhold permits will put upward pressure on Australia's carbon price, but their views differ on the likely size of the increase.
The preliminary design of an emissions trading scheme due to launch in 2015 puts South Korea on course for a carbon price of $90, says a joint analysis by BNEF and Ernst & Young.