‘The worst bit of modelling I’ve ever seen’ — Unpacking the Federal Government’s Net Zero Modelling
The Federal Government’s net zero modelling is little more than an exercise in magical thinking
The Morrison Government finally released its long-awaited climate modelling for its net zero by 2050 plan and our experts agree it’s the stuff of science fiction. A number of big flaws in the model have already been identified, the biggest of which is that it doesn’t actually reach net zero – there’s a 15% gap. But it also includes imaginary emissions reduction technologies being invented ‘very soon’, no detail about cost of living impacts and it ignores the economic benefits of avoiding dangerous climate change. But the biggest reveal? At the heart of the modelling is a phantom carbon tax.
This was recorded on 16 November 2021 and things may have changed since recording.
australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director at the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett
Guests:
Richard Denniss, chief economist, the Australia Institute // @RDNS_TAI
Rod Campbell, research director, the Australia Institute // @R_o_d_C
Producer: Jennifer Macey // @jennifermacey
Theme Music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions
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