March 2022
‘The science is clear. It’s over to you now’: IPCC Report
“The new IPCC report on climate Impacts paints a dire picture of the reality of climate change now and the limits available to adapt to a warming world. The best response remains rapid emissions reductions while cushioning the impacts through greater research and spending on adaptation. “It’s unbelievable and irresponsible that after all the devastating
February 2022
Basic carbon price makes Narrabri coal mine uneconomic: research
New research reveals the economic benefits of the proposed Narrabri Whitehaven Coal Mine would be reduced to zero in the event a basic carbon price was included in its assessment. In a submission to the NSW Independent Planning Commission, the Australia Institute details how Whitehaven corporation have overstated the economic benefits of the proposed mine,
HeatWatch: Penrith Could Face Nearly Two Months of Extreme Heat Per Year
Extreme heat days over 35 degrees are projected to increase five-fold in Western Sydney, where areas such as Penrith could experience up to 58 days (almost two months) of extreme heat per year. This landmark HeatWatch report is by the Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program is in partnership with Sweltering Cities. HeatWatch uses CSRIO-BoM
Australia ready to become sustainable EV-making powerhouse: new research
A unique combination of advantages has handed Australia a historic chance to become a sustainable global manufacturer of electric vehicles – provided the federal government acts swiftly and decisively, according to new research by the Australia Institute’s Carmichael Centre.
January 2022
Resource Investors Back Electrification Over Fossil Fuels
New research released by The Australia Institute shows that new investment in the resource sector is overwhelmingly focused on electrification minerals rather than fossil fuels. Key Findings: In the last year, 42 companies targeting electrification minerals listed on the ASX compared to just one fossil fuel company. The newly listed resource companies look to produce
Two thirds of WA gas given away virtually free
New research from The Australia Institute shows that virtually no tax or royalty is paid on two thirds of the gas exported from Western Australia. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) worth $27 billion was exported from WA last year, while only $430m went to the State Government, just 1% of state budget revenue. Twice as much
December 2021
Time to Plan for and Support Early Coal Phase Out
Statement in response to draft Integrated System Plan 2022 from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) “The energy market operator has finally mapped out an ambitious energy future aligned with the Paris Agreement. The plan aims to rapidly phase out coal power while increasing energy supply to help electrify everything like our cars, homes and industries.
New Analysis: Most Major Australian Superannuation Funds Invest in Nuclear Weapons Despite United Nations Treaty
New research from the Australia Institute and Quit Nukes reveals most major Australian superannuation funds have holdings in nuclear weapons companies, such as Airbus, Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. While many exclude so-called ‘controversial weapons’, they do not include nuclear weapons in the definition and continue to invest in nuclear weapons companies. Nearly one year into
Santos climate scam: Public funding to increase fossil fuel production
A new Australia Institute report details how fossil fuel producer Santos intends to use the Federal Government’s Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) to increase oil and gas production. Key findings: Santos company documents show that its Moomba carbon capture and storage (CCS) project will be used for ‘Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR)’, where captured CO2 is used
Labor Climate Announcement Good First Step, But More Action Needed on Fossil Fuels
Labor has announced its climate platform which includes setting a 43% by 2030 emissions target. It has committed to gradually tightening Safeguard baselines from Australia’s biggest polluters, but has not clarified whether these baselines will lead to absolute reductions or reductions in emissions intensity. “An increased 2030 target is a good first step, however the
November 2021
Victorian Government rejection of Gippsland Mineral Sand Mine: Win for Community & Local Economy
The Australia Institute welcomes the decision by Victorian State Minister for Planning Richard Wynne to reject the Fingerboards Mineral Sands project proposed by Kalbar Resources. Rod Campbell, Research Director at The Australia Institute, was an expert witness in the planning hearings that led to the rejection. He was called by community group Mine-Free Glenaladale. “We
Morrison’s Net Zero Modelling Predicts Gillard’s Carbon Price …but without the compensation
New analysis shows that buried in the heart of the modelling for Scott Morrison’s ‘net zero plan’ is a carbon price that drives changes in new business investment, consumer behaviour and technological change. While the Morrison Government is adamant that it will not collect any revenue from this ‘phantom tax’, it will not protect consumers
COP26 Glasgow Ends: Coal Phase Down Agreed, Glimmer of Hope Remains
“If COP26 is judged on its ability to advance emissions reductions, then Glasgow has already moved the dial forward,” said Richie Merzian, Climate & Energy Program Director at the Australia Institute, from Glasgow. “Attempts to name and shame fossil fuels have been blocked for major fossil fuel producers in the UN, but finally a line
New paper exposes five wealthy countries whose fossil fuel production threatens chances of keeping 1.5ºC hope alive
The Fossil Fuelled 5 examines five wealthy nations – the US, Canada, Norway, Australia and the UK – that have a widening gap between their rhetoric on climate action and their plans to expand the production of fossil fuels. The paper gives a snapshot of how each is undermining global efforts to address the climate
Analysis: Federal Government Net Zero Modelling is Economic Science Fiction
The Australia Institute has reviewed the Federal Government’s newly released Long-term emissions reduction plan: Modelling and Analysis. “The Federal Government’s climate modelling is like economic science fiction,” said Dr Richard Denniss, chief economist at The Australia Institute. “The claimed economic benefits come not from avoiding catastrophic climate change, that is ignored, but from a speculative $50 billion
‘Technology Not Taxes’: a Failure Australia Has Seen Before
The Morrison Government’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with ‘technology not taxes’ is neither plausible nor original. New Australia Institute analysis shows that back in 1997 the Howard Government announced a similar plan, with no carbon price and no regulatory restrictions on fossil fuels, that failed to deliver more than 400 MT CO2-e of
Australia drops four places on global climate ranking
The annual Climate Change Performance Index released today has ranked Australia last on climate policy, ranking in 64th place. Furthermore, Australia dropped four places to 58th out of 64 places overall in the index, ahead of only Korea, Chinese Taipei, Canada, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Kazakhstan. Australia received very low ratings for its performance across
Federal Government’s Future Fuels Electric Vehicle Announcement Little More Than Another Pamphlet
“The Federal Government’s new Future Fuels Strategy will struggle to drive up electric vehicles sales and drive down transport emissions. Norway, the global leader on EVs, has driven the transition to cheaper, faster, and cleaner vehicles through credible policies and regulations,” said Richie Merzian, climate & energy program director at the Australia Institute. “The Prime
New analysis: Australia backsliding in climate adaptation approach
The COP26 Presidency has stated Monday 8 November in Glasgow will focus on the theme of adaptation, to ensure all countries enhance their resilience in the face of unavoidable climate impacts. Despite updating its National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy ahead of Glasgow, Australia remains especially at risk and lagging significantly behind other countries in
Australia Institute Welcomes SA Labor’s Commitment to Repeal EV Tax
Independent think tank The Australia Institute has welcomed SA Labor’s commitment to repealing the state’s recently legislated EV Tax, if they win the next election. Key points: An EV Tax will come into force in South Australia in 2027, or when EVs make up 30% of new car sales, after government legislation passed the SA
Australia’s fossil fuel expansion plans equivalent to over 200 new coal power stations
New research from the Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program reveals that planned new gas and coal projects in Australia would result in almost 1.7 billion tonnes of CO2e emissions annually – equivalent to building over 200 new coal power stations. This would be four times the amount of new coal power stations planned by
PM Morrison Faces Renewed Pressure: Don’t Wreck Glasgow COP26
As Prime Minister Scott Morrison jets into Glasgow he faces renewed pressure to increase short term targets and phase out coal power. As the UN climate chief Patricia Espinosa said in her COP26 opening remarks, “we need even more ambition and all nations on board, especially the highest emitters in the G20 responsible for around 80 per
October 2021
G20 Message to World Leaders: Don’t Let Australia Cheat on Climate Action and Wreck Glasgow COP26
To coincide with the G20 Summit in Rome 30-31 October, and COP26 in Glasgow which begins 31 October, the Australia Institute has placed several full-page advertisements to ask world leaders not to let Prime Minister Scott Morrison cheat on meaningful climate action. Building on research showing a lack of evidence that the Federal Government is
SA EV Tax Improved but Support Still Inadequate
The passage of the EV Tax through the South Australian Parliament with some, but not adequate, compensatory support for the fledging electric vehicle sector is regrettable, The Australia institute has said. While important improvements were made to the EV Tax package in South Australia, including a six-year delay to the tax’s implementation and temporary purchase
EV Tax: SA Support Package Falls $70m Short
New research from independent think tank The Australia Institute has found the level of State Government funding offered to incentivise the uptake of EVs in South Australia falls well short of what is on offer in other states. An additional $70 million of funding, effectively tripling the $36 million currently being offered, would be required
‘Actions Speak Louder than Words’: Net Zero by 2050 a Fraud Without Transition from Fossil Fuels
The Morrison Government’s Net Zero by 2050 deal is a fraud while the Government plots to double coal exports, open vast new gas fields and prop-up coal generated power. Furthermore, the budgetary cost of persuading the National Party to support Scott Morrison’s net zero target are trivial compared to the costs to the economy of
New Analysis: Nationals Deal to Cost Economy $210 billion
The budgetary cost of persuading the National Party to support Scott Morrison’s net zero target are trivial compared to the costs to the economy of delaying new investment according to a new Australia Institute analysis of economic modelling. The Business Council of Australia recently released modelling by Deloitte Access Economics of the economic benefits of
Offsetting up for failure: Northern Territory Climate Offsets Policy
With the impacts of climate change already being felt in the Northern Territory, new research shows the Northern Territory Government’s draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Offsets Policy should be abandoned or at least heavily revised. A submission from The Australia Institute’s Climate & Energy Program shows that the proposed offset system would undermine existing NT Government
Tasmanians support stronger action on climate change
Climate of the Nation 2021 Benchmark Report – Tasmanian supplement Amid the Tasmanian Government’s announcement to legislate net zero by 2030, new research shows Tasmanians have expressed their support for stronger action to prepare for and adapt to the impacts of global warming (61%, compared to 55% nationally), and six in ten (62%) oppose any
Upper House Now Final Barrier Against SA Gov’s Misguided EV Tax
The Australia Institute has welcomed SA Labor’s strong opposition to the SA Government’s Electric Vehicle Tax during debate in the Lower House today and has called on the Parliament’s Upper House to reject the flawed policy. “The State Government’s deeply flawed EV Tax will pull the handbrake on the uptake of EVs and effective climate
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