Australia and Climate Change

Green transition: Supercharging a sustainable future for the Asia‑Pacific
Green transition: Supercharging a sustainable future for the Asia‑Pacific
The Asia-Pacific region, a beacon of economic growth, is projected to contribute an astonishing 60% to global GDP growth by 2024. At the heart of this region’s transformation is…
A “climate defence force” for the Pacific
A “climate defence force” for the Pacific
During the summer political slumber, Australian Defence Personnel Minister Matt Keogh indicated that Canberra was considering permitting recruitment from Pacific Island Countries …
A role for nuclear in Australia’s climate response?
A role for nuclear in Australia’s climate response?
Dron Parashar, writing in The Interpreter last month, notes that other countries are actively exploring nuclear options for electricity generation, while the current Australian…
Middle East turmoil and a US pause offer Australia LNG opportunities
Middle East turmoil and a US pause offer Australia LNG opportunities
The United States has just overtaken Australia as the world’s biggest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG). By 2030, US production is forecast to be more than double Australia…
Why big projects fail: Climate change and AUKUS submarines
Why big projects fail: Climate change and AUKUS submarines
Book review: How Big Things Get Done by Bent Flyvbjerg and Dan Gardner (Penguin Random House, 2023) We don’t need to look at detailed statistics to know that large-scale…
Australia should rejoin the world's largest climate fund
Commentary
Australia should rejoin the world's largest climate fund
Originally published in The Canberra Times, 23 September 2023.
Global Stocktake: Unlocking trillions for climate action
Global Stocktake: Unlocking trillions for climate action
The most important component of this year’s round of UN climate negotiations is the Paris Agreement’s Global Stocktake. The Paris Agreement, an international treaty with 195…
Climate change: Counting the costs and opportunities
Climate change: Counting the costs and opportunities
A principle isn’t a principle until it costs you something, the adage goes. Since 2015, successive Lowy Institute polls have found that the majority of Australians support…
Australia can no longer justify fossil fuel funding
Australia can no longer justify fossil fuel funding
In the lead-up to the G7 Summit in Japan next month, which Australia has been invited to attend, pressure is mounting on the federal government to commit to ending public funding…
The race for lithium
The race for lithium
The current global energy crisis has shown how interdependent the world’s energy markets are, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine causing widespread fuel shortages and sky-rocketing…