MPCCC Carbon Price Architecture a Step Forward on Climate, But Australia Still Needs Additional Measures

February 24, 2011

The Multi-Party Climate Change Committee announce the architecture of a national carbon price amidst expert consensus that carbon pricing alone is not enough to drive a rapid transition to renewable energy sources.

Beyond Zero Emissions Executive Director Matthew Wright says:

‘The consensus of energy experts and climate change advocates is that carbon pricing is no silver bullet. We welcome the Prime Minister’s decision to present the Multi Party Climate Change Committee’s carbon price architecture, but it’s time for her government to move beyond a narrow focus on carbon pricing.’

Recently released Department of Climate Change analysis shows that Australia’s emissions are on track to increase dramatically—some 24% by 2020—without new climate policy action. This demonstrates the need for a carbon-price plus policy that will set Australia on a path to 100% renewable energy.

‘The Gillard government must adopt a carbon pricing plus plan for a zero emissions economy,’ says Wright.

‘A carbon price can support measures that deploy baseload solar thermal power in Australia. It’s time for the Labor government to champion a range of climate initiatives. If it doesn’t, then they must explain to the public how the carbon price-only approach will rollout baseload renewables over the next decade.’

Wright explains:

‘National feed-in-tariffs have worked along side emissions trading in Spain and Germany to rollout and industrial scale shift to renewable energy. They are leading the way to a green economy.’