Following on from an earlier post , I thought I might elaborate on the five key questions that all industries need to answer in the face of emissions trading and why they are more helpful than any economic modelling to determine the strategy and risks a company may be prepared to take in the climate change debate.
 
1. Is it cheaper to buy carbon or reduce it?
 

Last week the Federal Government released its long awaited economic modelling demonstrating the impact of climate policies on the Australian economy. The modelling is one of a number of inputs the Government is considering to help it set climate policies and emission reduction targets.
 

Less than three years ago climate change was still a relatively small issue for Australian businesses and the Federal Government. At that stage only a small group of public servants were starting to develop a public discussion paper on how the State Labor governments – independent of the Federal Coalition Government – could develop a National Emissions Trading Scheme.
 

If all the sustainability buzzwords like passive solar design and thermal mass seem a bit abstract to you, you should visit the new 8-star home. Called an 8-star home because it achieves an impressive 8-star rating in the Building Energy Rating Services (BERS) system, this home is a stunning example of clay brick as an ideal material for building sustainably and achieving excellent energy efficiency. It’s also a “proof” of the brick industry’s position on climate change and designing buildings that take advantage of the climate they are in.

Climate change is a problem. The Australian and global economies depend on predictable weather patterns to maintain our health, safety and prosperity.

Climate change has been exacerbated by a poorly designed built environment. Where once solar passive design was used to keep a house cool in summer and warm in winter, today, we rely on artificial heating and cooling to maintain comfortable temperatures inside our homes. The result has been increased demand for energy and an increase in Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions.