From micro-breweries to in-store bakeries to 3D printing—distributed, modular production is taking over. It’s all part of the shift to a low carbon future, says Alan Pears.
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The Muni Bond Market's Biggest Credit Risk: Climate Change | Think Advisor
Most at risk are localities that are already economically challenged, located in low-tax states and threatened with extreme weather-related events.
Australia's bushfires have emitted 250m tonnes of CO2, almost half of country's annual emissions | The Guardian
In Australia’s greenhouse gas inventory, the government reported 340m tonnes of emissions from “wildfires” each year for the whole country from 2013 to the latest reporting year of 2017.
In ‘Strongest’ Climate Ruling Yet, Dutch Court Orders Leaders to Take Action | NY Times
Because of climate change, “the lives, well being and living circumstances of many people around the world, including in the Netherlands, are being threatened,” Kees Streefkerk, the chief justice said.
Climate Change Performance Index for Australia
Ranked 56th (out of 61 countries) in this year’s CCPI, Australia with an overall very low rating remains under the bottom five performers. The country continues to receive very low ratings in the Energy Use category and ranks at the bottom of low performers in both the GHG Emissions and Renewable Energy categories. National experts observe a lack of progress in these areas with the government failing to clarify how it will meet the country’s insufficient 2030 emission reduction target and inaction in developing a long-term mitigation strategy.
Thousands Flee to Shore as Australia Fires Turn Skies Blood Red | NY Times
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, a conservative, has made it clear that Australia’s economic prosperity comes first. Even as his country burned, he has said repeatedly that it is not the time to discuss climate policy.
Investors can change the narrative on climate transition | AFR
Whatever pressure ultimately comes from investors, politicians must still set the policies that discourage pollution and enable rival energy technologies to emerge.
Hayne rebukes directors on climate risk failure | AFR
Former High Court judge and royal commissioner Kenneth Hayne has warned directors they have a legal duty to act on climate change risk, include it in corporate strategies and report on it to shareholders, raising the real prospect that boards failing to act could end up in court.
Tackling climate crisis is what we should be doing, says new IMF boss | The Guardian
The climate crisis and financial stability are linked, she says, because if left unattended, global heating will threaten financial stability. “When people say we should be sticking to our mandate, I fully agree,” she says. “That’s exactly what we are doing.”
UNEP: 1.5C climate target ‘slipping out of reach’ | Carbon Brief
The annual report, now in its 10th year, provides a “bleak” assessment of the ever-growing gap between actual emission reduction commitments by countries and those necessary to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement: to limit warming to “well-below 2C above preindustrial levels” and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5C.
How big business saw the climate turning point coming | AFR
Climate change is suddenly at the heart of the political narrative but the country's leaders are playing catch-up with business, finance and investment institutions.
"Pollination’s mission is to play a proactive role in helping facilitate that change through world class advice and investment.”
Global fossil fuel subsidies reach $5.2 trillion, and $29 billion in Australia | Renew Economy
The IMF estimates that annual energy subsidies in Australia total $29 billion, representing 2.3 per cent of Australian GDP. On a per capita basis, Australian fossil fuel subsidies amount to $1,198 per person.
Rising Seas Will Erase More Cities by 2050, New Research Shows | NY Times
Further loss of land to rising waters there “threatens to drive further social and political instability in the region, which could reignite armed conflict and increase the likelihood of terrorism,” said General Castellaw, who is now on the advisory board of the Center for Climate and Security, a research and advocacy group in Washington.
“So this is far more than an environmental problem,” he said. “It’s a humanitarian, security and possibly military problem too.”
The transition to renewable energy | The Saturday Paper
“THERE’S REALLY NO EXPLANATION FOR THE GOVERNMENT’S POSITION EXCEPT BLIND IDEOLOGY AND VESTED INTERESTS. IT’S CAPTURED BY THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY.”
Ross Garnaut: Why Australia can be a renewable superpower | Renew Economy
Leading economist and climate change policy expert Professor Ross Garnaut joins Energy Insiders to explain how Australia can reach 100 per cent renewables in little more than a decade, and then go further and be a renewable superpower.
Record drop in electricity production from coal as rich nations go green | The Times UK
Reductions in burning of the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel in Britain, Germany, South Korea and other developed countries are outstripping increases in China, Vietnam and elsewhere, meaning that the overall total is expected to decline by 3 per cent in 2019.
Mark Carney on the risks and opportunities of a low carbon economy transition | The Fifth Estate
A great summary of Mark Carney’s speech at the 10th Climate Alliance conference in Melbourne.
Awards for the Climate Alliance Board of Advisors
At this year’s 10th annual conference we recognised long standing members of our Board of Advisors Taimur Siddiqi, Alan Pears, Mary Voice, Turlough Guerin, Tara Allsop and Lloyd Fleming.
This team has literally weathered the storm since 2009 including dramatic policy change, growing youth advocacy, substantial inroads within the business and board community, and, of course, increased consensus and compelling evidence that we need to act now.
Thank you for your outstanding contributions and guidance. Climate Alliance looks forward to your support over the next decade of progress
2019 Climate Alliance National Conference - Summary
This year’s National Conference featured presentations from a high-profile panel of speakers. Following the presentations was a panel discussion, with some robust discussion of current issues facing the business world and the ways in which businesses are tackling the step-change opportunities presented by the carbon reduction challenge.
