The debate about the introduction of an emissions trading scheme (ETS) may be hot in Australia, but a leading global climate change expert says the positive spinoffs of an ETS in Europe are already being seen.
Currie’s client the Global Change Institute (GCI) this week hosted Jill Duggan, European Commission – Directorate-General for Climate Action, who was in Australia to discuss the lessons learnt from the European Union’s Emissions Trading Scheme (EUETS) and other measures it has undertaken to mitigate global warming.
Addressing the audience at The University of Queensland, home to GCI, Ms Duggan said there had been a serious amount of concern in the UK before the ETS scheme was established.
“Starting any trading scheme is going to be met with caution from government and industry,” she said.
“Quite often you need to make compromises to get started.”
Ms Duggan’s observations on the keys to success in the EU were political consensus and a strong push from industry for trading.
She said there were many positive spinoffs from the introduction of the EUETS including the start-up of low carbon manufacturing businesses and other sustainable enterprises – sectors that would not have existed without the EUETS.
During her Australian visit Ms Duggan held talks with the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet, and Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Environment and Heritage, Greg Hunt, as well as meetings with government officials, NGOs, industry and business groups in Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane and Sydney.
The seminar was part of the Insights Seminar Series run by GCI at The University of Queensland. To view the podcast visit http://gci.uq.edu.au/VideoGallery.aspx
About GCI
The Global Change Institute was established by The University of Queensland twelve months ago to better address major global challenges. The Institute is committed to becoming a change-agent, helping to foster innovative research and multi-disciplinary collaboration worldwide, as well as acting as an experimental think-tank in which new ideas can flourish and be explored. To learn more about GCI visit http://gci.uq.edu.au/Home.aspx