Report: Senate Select Committee on Climate Policy

15 June 2009

© Commonwealth of Australia 2009
ISBN 978-1-74229-135-2

View the report as a single document - (PDF 2414KB)

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View the report as separate downloadable parts:

Membership of Committee	(PDF 8KB)
Recommendations	(PDF 39KB)
Chapter 1 - Introduction	(PDF 50KB)
Terms of reference The conduct of the inquiry Structure of the report
Chapter 2 - Science and emissions targets	(PDF 663KB)
Climate science Greenhouse gas concentrations and future temperatures Ethical and moral dimensions The economics of global climate change Committee view on risk management Australia's fair and equitable share of global emissions targets Australia's targets in the absence of (adequate) global agreement Economic modelling Other modelling
Chapter 3 - Policy options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions	(PDF 164KB)
A cap and trade scheme Qualified support A carbon tax A consumption-based carbon tax The 'baseline-and-credit' and 'emissions intensity' models The McKibbin hybrid model Regulation and incentives—ad-hoc approaches Purchasing global permits Summary Committee view
Chapter 4 - The effectiveness of the CPRS as an emissions trading scheme	(PDF 350KB)
Coverage of the scheme The timing of the CPRS The mechanism of setting caps Carbon leakage and arguments for assistance for trade-exposed firms Additional assistance to the coal mining industry Assistance to electricity generators Treatment of voluntary/additional emission reductions Other design flaws The interim price ceiling Adequacy of assistance to households Implications for jobs International linkages
Chapter 5 - Complementary measures	(PDF 211KB)
Impact of a cap and trade approach Criteria for selecting complementary measures Reducing demand for energy Transition to less polluting technologies Sequestration
Chapter 6 - Agriculture and land use	(PDF 249KB)
Agriculture Committee comment Reforestation Committee comment Deforestation Committee comment Soil carbon Committee comment Carbon accounting Committee comment
Australian Labor Party	(PDF 170KB)
About the inquiry Summary of Government Senators' position Australia needs to act on climate change Deferral of action and claims of unilateralism Our targets are realistic and attainable Why we support the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme The scheme will not damage the Australian economy Climate policy and employment The economic implications of not passing the CPRS Appendix: Domestic Climate Change Policies of Major Economies[23] Brazil Canada China European Union The EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) France Germany India Indonesia Italy Japan Republic of Korea Mexico Russia South Africa United Kingdom United States State-based ETS
Additional Comments and Qualifications - Senator Michaelia Cash	(PDF 27KB)
Introduction 1. Qualification—Chapter 2—Analysis of scientific views 2. Treasury Modelling 3. Impact on Western Australia 4. Renewable Energy Target 5. Agriculture and Land use 6. Conclusion
Minority report by the Australian Greens	(PDF 32KB)
Minority Report by Senator Nick Xenophon	(PDF 143KB)
Background: nature of the problem that we are trying to solve What are the policy issues that should govern the design of a carbon pollution reduction programme? Critique of the CPRS and government approach Commentary on the complexity of the CPRS Alternative approaches – an intensity-based approach Reduction, Adaptation & Mitigation Concluding observations Recommendations
Appendix 1 - Submissions Received	(PDF 84KB)
Appendix 2 - Public Hearings and Witnesses	(PDF 52KB)
Canberra, Wednesday 15 APRIL 2009 Canberra, Thursday 16 APRIL 2009 Perth, Monday 20 APRIL 2009 Sydney, Tuesday 21 APRIL 2009 Hobart, Thursday 23 APRIL 2009 Brisbane, Tuesday 28 APRIL 2009 Canberra, Thursday 30 APRIL 2009 Canberra, Friday 1 MAY 2009 Canberra, Wednesday 20 MAY 2009

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