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'We all know coal-fired power stations will sequentially close," the head of the National Generators Forum, John Boshier, tells CE Daily. But if generators don't get help making that transition then Australia will face power interruptions and price volatility as a result of closures that occur too soon, he says. Yet delivering assistance in the right way won't be easy, Boshier says. (plus audio)
Australia can affordably slash its emissions 60% below 1990 levels in just over 20 years, says a study released today by consultancy McKinsey & Company, but it will mean fitting two-thirds of coal-fired plants with carbon capture and storage technology by 2030. If that doesn't happen, costs would rise.
The study also says Kyoto's Clean Development Mechanism could make the abatement challenge massively cheaper – and concludes nuclear would make the task even less costly.
The head of the International Energy Agency told last week's major economies meeting in Hawaii a "CO2 incentive" of US$200 a tonne would be needed to deliver a 50% cut in emissions by 2050, the IEA revealed yesterday.
Meanwhile, the head of Australia's mining union, Tony Maher, has canvassed the creation of a new climate change pressure group and has urged resource companies to massively boost their spending on carbon capture and storage.
Treasury tells Rudd to put Australia 'on a clean energy footing' * Wong says we will set an interim target, as UN climate change chief urges major emitters to deploy climate change 'Marshall plan' * Victoria's Hazelwood power plant a cleaner fossil fuels case study as global energy agency suggests replacing or upgrading more than a third of the world's coal-fired capacity
* NSW environment group weighs in against NSW power industry privatisation * Program offers industry a 'low-risk' chance to test sustainability, Garrett says * 6-star green building flurry continues * Wood waste power plant proposed for WA
The European Commission last night unveiled plans for a sweeping overhaul of the EU's emissions trading scheme. It also proposed new measures to speed up the development of carbon capture and storage and to put Europe on a path to meet its 20% by 2020 renewables target.
And in comments likely to set off alarm bells for Australian exporters to Europe, EC President José Manuel Barroso floated the prospect of protecting the competitiveness of EU industry by requiring importers to obtain emission allowances.
CE Daily reports on the latest initiatives from the region widely seen as the global pacesetter on climate change policy. (with video
Industry association calls for abolition of national energy efficiency program * Federal government says energy efficiency data not up to scratch * EPA Victoria says environmental offsets can lead to better outcomes * SA to trial kerbside food waste program as NSW issues kerbside guide * Nominations open for Tasmanian awards
* Global fuel, power and transport businesses urge renewable energy milestones and greater government efforts * Carbon Disclosure Project urges business to explore supply chain emissions * UK overhauls legislation on nuclear, renewables and carbon capture and storage
Vienna waltz – Labor sidesteps on Vienna declaration cuts * WA Parliament passes waste legislation and geothermal amendments * Greg Hunt to take on Wong and Garrett * ABARE says climate change could lead to 19% decline in agriculture productivity * EPA Victoria issues air protocol for mining * WA regulator proposes overhaul of water and wastewater sector * Mothballed Mobil refinery to be home to Adelaide's desal plant * Cleaner coal – union urges faster action and more cash * Co-firing with coal set to be an early beneficiary of Labor's MRET * Strong support for mandatory sustainability reporting * Greywater now main garden water source for 15% of homes
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