Australia’s post-2020 emissions target

All countries have been called on to submit a pledge for their ‘intended nationally determined contributions’ to future global climate action, ahead of the Paris UN climate conference. The government process for deciding Australia’s post-2020 greenhouse gas emissions target is underway. There is a substantial amount of research and analysis relevant to this decision.

In this public forum, leading researchers and commentators will present their analysis and perspectives on options for Australia’s post-2020 emissions target and issues affecting it. Presentations will touch on: options for framing a national pledge and methods to assess an appropriate contribution by Australia; international perceptions and comparisons with other countries; long-term options for Australia to get on a low-emissions pathway including energy decarbonisation and land-based carbon sequestration; and suitable policies and institutions.

The forum will be opened with a keynote address by Peter Woolcott, Australia’s Ambassador for the Environment.

Speakers include:

• Howard Bamsey, ANU
• Peter Castellas, Carbon Market Institute
• Alex Gosman, Australian Industry Greenhouse Network
• Anthea Harris, Climate Change Authority
• Steve Hatfield-Dodds, CSIRO
• John Hewson, Crawford School, ANU
• Erwin Jackson, The Climate Institute
• Frank Jotzo, Crawford School, ANU
• Andrew Macintosh, ANU
• Malte Meinshausen, University of Melbourne
• Anna Skarbek, ClimateWorks Australia

This forum is presented by the Centre for Climate and Economics Policy at Crawford School of Public Policy, The Australian National University.