The economics of climate change: world expert

03 October 2006

One of the world’s leading advisors on how governments can tackle climate change will give a free public lecture at UNSW this Thursday (5 October).

Professor Michael Grubb from the University of Cambridge, is the Chief Economist of the UK Carbon Trust and a Visiting Professor at the Centre for Environmental Policy at Imperial College London. He is the lead author of several reports addressing the economic, technological and social aspects of limiting greenhouse gas emissions.

The focus of the address will be on how governments can use economic and policy levers, such as carbon trading, to encourage businesses to become more involved in green technology.

The Australian government has repeatedly said that technology should be developed to help tackle climate change.

Professor Grubb is expected to suggest that technology should be augmented by government policies and that a Kyoto-style agreement needs to be signed by all countries to be effective. Australia has so far refused to sign the Kyoto Protocol.

A poll released by the Lowy Institute this week has found that 68 percent of respondents said that global warming is a critical threat to Australia’s vital interests over the next 10 years. The poll found that steps should be taken now, even if there are significant costs involved.

The Centre for Energy and Environmental Markets (CEEM), which is hosting the lecture, is a collaboration between the Faculties of Commerce & Economics and Engineering, with representatives from other Faculties including the AGSM.

What: Free public lecture - Climate change and innovation

When: 1pm - 2.30pm, Thursday 5 October, 2006

Where: Ritchie Theatre, The John Niland Scientia Building, UNSW