Emissions Trading Scheme

Looking at SMH’s environment page today, the articles reveal a common focus. There is a growing uncertainty for the future of Australia’s Emissions Trading Scheme. Here’s a few extracts…

ETS ‘should be held off until recession is over’

Caltex Australia spokesman Frank Topham told the Senate inquiry in Sydney that the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) shouldn’t come into effect until the economy recovers.

“We believe (the ETS) should not start effective operation until properly designed or until economic conditions return to normal,” Mr Topham said.

ETS crucial to international agreement: Wong

Climate Change Minister Penny Wong says the carbon reduction scheme is key to a global agreement to tackle climate change.

The Government has so far failed to win the support of key crossbench senators for its proposed Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

The Government’s climate adviser, Ross Garnaut, has also questioned whether the scheme was worth introducing in its current form.

Wong vows to press on with ETS plan

Climate Change Minister Penny Wong has hit out at her critics, insisting she will not go “back to the drawing board” on emissions trading.

There are mounting calls for the Government to rewrite its emissions trading scheme (ETS) and delay the 2010 start date.

Might be best to dump ETS: Garnaut

The Government’s own climate adviser says it might be best to dump the emissions trading scheme (ETS) and “have another crack at it” later.

Scientists on attack over Rudd emissions plan

THREE of CSIRO’s most eminent climate scientists have told a Senate inquiry that the Prime Minister’s targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions will not achieve even a “limited” level of protection against climate change and are “much weaker” than the cuts developed countries need to make.

In a big embarrassment for Kevin Rudd and the Climate Change Minister, Penny Wong, the globally recognised scientists have made a joint submission to a new inquiry on the Government’s carbon trading scheme, which begins hearings today in Canberra.

Apparently things aren’t looking too good for the scheme…