As leader of Australia’s largest carbon offset company, I believe it’s timely to make some pointed and public observations on climate policy options ahead of the federal election. I say “pointed” because, quite frankly, the bizarre twists and turns of Australian climate policy-making mean it’s impossible for any company to commit to a business model, or for the public to believe anything tangible is planned. Sir Humphrey Appleby – the infamous sitcom public servant – has clearly won. Decisions are just far too “courageous” and nothing is being done. Our nation is now in a climate policy vacuum. Worse: the electorate is being offered policy options that are content free. The current situation is best described as ‘back to the future’, looking very much like the pre-1997 climate debate. After more than 14 years we have managed to find reverse gear. A quick history lesson in federal climate policy: Nationwide, Greenhouse Gas Policy was significantly advanced in 1997 (a full 10 years after the Kyoto Protocol was developed) with the formation of the Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO). Among other things, the AGO produced a series of discussion papers that developed the basic, but strong framework, of an Australian Emissions Trading Scheme. That … Continue reading A policy comedy