The Conversation

Here are four ways the current electricity system favours existing, higher emitting technologies. These must be overcome to rapidly cut Australia’s emissions. Lee White, Research Fellow, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New Zealand has announced a more ambitious pledge to cut emissions, but the commitment relies on buying credits from offshore. There is no system for doing this yet, or for ensuring genuine cuts. Robert McLachlan, Professor in Applied Mathematics, Massey University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In the late 1990s, a mining company was planning to expand its Kakadu uranium mine into Jabiluka land. But the expansion ultimately failed, thanks to Yvonne Maragula and Jacqui Katona. Jacqui Katona, Lecturer, Victoria University Lily O'Neill, Research Fellow, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Battery electric cars are an ideal choice for light-duty and shorter commutes, but for long-haul trucks or buses, hydrogen fuel cells offer higher loads, shorter refuelling times and a longer range. Soheil Mohseni, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Sustainable Energy Systems, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Alan Brent, Professor and Chair in Sustainable Energy Systems, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington James Hinkley, Senior lecturer, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Leaders of the world’s wealthiest 20 countries failed to reach any major commitments on climate action, including a timeline to phase out fossil fuels. Caitlin Byrne, Director, Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University Susan Harris Rimmer, Professor and Director of the Policy Innovation Hub, Griffith Business School, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

When Prime Minister Scott Morrison returns from the Glasgow climate summit, he must start a proper national conversation on net-zero. Frank Jotzo, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy and Head of Energy, Institute for Climate Energy and Disaster Solutions, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Helping developing nations pay for the expensive work of emissions reduction and adaptation benefits everyone on the planet. Melanie Pill, PhD candidate, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Reach net zero requires policies spanning energy, industry, transport, agriculture, land use, even trade. Climate change is a whole-of-government issue. It’s every minister’s problem. James Ha, Associate, Grattan Institute Alison Reeve, Deputy Program Director, Energy and Climate Change, Grattan Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Pacific nations look to New Zealand for climate leadership. It has enshrined carbon neutrality by 2050 and a 1.5℃ target in law, but, so far, emissions have continued to rise. Nathan Cooper, Associate Professor of Law, University of Waikato Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Labor is not due to announce its full climate plan until after international climate talks in Glasgow. Rebecca Pearse, Lecturer, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia’s southwest is a biodiversity hotspot - and it’s also a climate change hotspot. Something has to give. Jatin Kala, Senior Lecturer and ARC DECRA felllow, Murdoch University Belinda Robson, Associate Professor, Murdoch University Joe Fontaine, Lecturer, Environmental and Conservation Science, Murdoch University Stephen Beatty, Research Leader (Catchments to Coast), Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University Thomas Wernberg, Professor, The University of Western Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Restoring farmland is one of the best ways to tackle climate and environmental issues over the long-term. But this doesn’t appear to be part of the Nationals deal. Paul Martin, Director, Australian Centre for Agriculture and Law, University of New England Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

For a net-zero plan not to include a strategy to phase out this enormous contribution to climate change is an abrogation of responsibility. Jeremy Moss, Professor of Political Philosophy, UNSW Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The UN’s new Emissions Gap Report shows we’re on track to overshoot the Paris target of 1.5℃. If we don’t close this emissions gap, what will Australia, and the rest of world, be forced to endure? Andrew King, ARC DECRA fellow, The University of Melbourne Malte Meinshausen, A/Prof., School of Earth Sciences, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia’s business sector has recognised the profits to be made in the hydrogen transition. Acting quickly, and powering the shift with renewable energy, is key. John Mathews, Professor Emeritus, Macquarie Business School, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The brutal arithmetic behind the prime minister’s carbon reduction plan leaves no place for coal. John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The indirect losses from one heatwave in Western Australia caused A$4.14 billion per year worth of damage. Alistair Hobday, Senior Principal Research Scientist - Oceans and Atmosphere, CSIRO Dan Smale, Research Fellow in Marine Ecology, Marine Biological Association Kathryn Smith, Postdoctoral Research Assistant, Marine Biological Association Thomas Wernberg, Professor, The University of Western Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Electricity should be a main focus, but big improvements are also needed in transport, industry, agriculture and buildings. Anna Skarbek, CEO at ClimateWorks Australia, Monash University Anna Malos, Australia - Country Lead, ClimateWorks Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is poised to announce Australia will adopt a target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. But it’s too little, too late. Lesley Hughes, Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University Will Steffen, Emeritus Professor, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

By the end of the summit, we’ll know how far nations are willing to go to address humanity’s biggest challenge. But while international politics matter, domestic politics are what counts. Christian Downie, Associate Professor, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.