Past Programs
Air Pollution - 2008
Treasury carbon modelling under scrutiny
31/10/2008
Well, after the long wait, you'd expect that the release yesterday of Treasury modelling on the economics of taking action on climate change would put an end to all the arguments. Far from it. Critics on both sides attacked many of Treasury's basic assumptions, including everything from a rosy outlook for so-called clean coal technologies to some pretty dramatic falls in the price of oil, coal, gas and metals in coming years. So what exactly did Treasury try to predict? What were the assumptions, and what options does the modelling now present to government?
Plane designs improve fuel efficiency
30/07/2008
The global aviation industry is battling soaring fuel prices. It's doing all it can to improve its bottom line. That's one reason why airlines are ordering new planes, since they offer much better fuel efficiency. But the planes of the future may have to change even more if they are to keep costs low and reduce carbon emissions. In fact, the big planes of the future may even not fly as far or as fast.
Effects of Green Paper plans on the poor
17/07/2008
Some concerns about the effect an emissions trading scheme would have on those on low incomes appear to have been addressed by the government. But there are still questions about whether the compensation is enough or appropriate.
Green Paper consultation repeat
17/07/2008
Yesterday the government started the road to an emissions trading scheme, the biggest economic overhaul since the GST, with the release of its green paper on climate change. But the paper is only a sketch of the government's plans, designed to open discussion on the ideas. It is yet to be seen how such changes will affect various parts of the economy, what caps will apply and exactly what level of compensation will be allocated. Those details will be revealed in Treasury modelling not due to be released until October.
Reactions to the Green Paper on Emissions Trading
17/07/2008
The reaction to the federal government's Green Paper on emissions trading has been mixed, particularly among those on whom the government will depend for votes when it comes to putting the plan into law.
Lobbyists call for action on climate change
07/07/2008
The Garnaut report on climate change may have only just been released, but the lobbyists are gearing up to point the federal government in their direction. This weekend a new group of environmental and social groups launched the Southern Cross Alliance, whose purpose is the urge the government to ignore calls for delays on dealing with climate change and act now.
Olympic air
21/02/2008
You can prepare for the heat, you can prepare for the humidity, but how do you prepare an Olympic team for smog? The Beijing Olympics kick off in six months, but reaching peak fitness for these games is a tricky business. Air pollution in Beijing is nearly five times higher than the World Health Organization's recommended safety level, leading to concerns that few world records will be broken, as Madeleine Genner reports.
