Legislation

Home

Legislation

Emission trading schemes could be the next sub prime

Tuesday, 18 August 2009 02:12 By Chris Innis

The momentum has now swung right behind emissions trading schemes globally and in some instances, with assertions that, if countries that don't have emission trading schemes, they will be penalised with tariffs. At least that is what we are now hearing from Kevin Rudd, the Australian Prime Minister, but it remains nonsense.

This website has always been against emissions trading schemes, it favours a tax like VAT, and it believes that we should take time to reflect on what an ETS means.

It's about energy security stupid!

Monday, 15 June 2009 22:08 By Chris Innis

September 11th was a turning point for many things. Energy was one. Reading many of the policy statements now coming from the Obama Administration there is a subtext: the structural shift to a low carbon economy is being driven first by energy security, then by other factors such as climate change. And that probably is the right order.

Energy security is becoming a top priority for all western governments as sources of energy in the west dry up and energy is supplied from the developing world where supply is not always within a government's control.

An emissions trading system is wrong for Australia

Tuesday, 02 June 2009 23:16 By Chris Innis

The legislation for an emission trading system goes before the Australia's Federal Parliament tomorrow. It is a bad idea. The legislation is at best too early and at worst is not needed.

Australia is a small economy, it just edges into the G20 and its emissions are at best two per cent of the world's out put, with 43 per cent coming from Australia's key primary industries: agriculture, mining and forestry. What ever Australia does will not count for much in the context of an emissions trading scheme which because it creates a commodity will be related to other trading schemes globally. Australia should focus instead on fiscal ideas to reduce its greenhouse gases. A trading scheme should be 10 years away, if it arrives at all.

Some leadership at last

Wednesday, 20 May 2009 03:41 By Chris Innis

The so called "War on Terror" and "Global Financial Crisis" are finally coming to the rescue of the environment industry. Today, President Obama announced national mileage and emission standards for all vehicles in the US which broadly amount to a 30 per cent increase in vehicle energy efficiency, and we anticipate a similar reduction in emissions, by 2016. This is exactly what the car industry needed: clear direction. Well done Mr President.

Report finds sustainability is moving up the corporate agenda

Thursday, 26 March 2009 16:28 By Chris Innis

A report released by Deloitte, the accounting and consultancy firm, has found that boards of directors are increasingly paying attention to the risks and opportunities associated with corporate responsibility, sustainability and climate change. The report is published in Corporate Board Member magazine. The survey of 220 directors at U.S. companies with $1 billion or more in revenue highlighted the board's growing role in oversight of corporate responsibility and sustainability (CR&S).

"The perfect storm of emerging regulations, increased requirements for reporting and transparency, heightened pressure from investors, energy price volatility and market demands for green products and technologies is driving CR&S as a business imperative," said Eric Hespenheide of Deloitte's Enterprise Sustainability group. "Despite the current economic environment the board's role is undoubtedly increasing as there is greater awareness of the business risks and opportunities associated with corporate responsibility, sustainability and climate change."

Key findings from the survey include:

More Articles...