The recent post made on the closure of a 1 gW coal power plant in Australia (Mallerawang, northwest of Sydney) led me to research carbon tax in Australia. The carbon tax was imposed under the Julia Gillard government and became effective in July 2012
The carbon tax covers industries not in agriculture or transport sector that emit greenhouse gases of over 25,000 ton Initially, the tax was at $10.00 per tonne. The price now is at $23.00 per ton. The Department of Climate Change says that there were 260 liable entities as of June 2013. Greenhouse gases, are primarily produced by: oil refineries, power generators and account for less than half of total emissions. The carbon tax which is part of Clean Energy Plan is aimed primarily at reducing the carbon emissions by 5% from 2000 to 2010
Australia generates only 1.5% of the total emissions, but the per capita is the highest in the world: about 20 tons per individual. It is about 19 tons per capita in USA.
However, three days ago, the current Prime Minister of Australia Tony Abbott prepared a draft legislation to abolish the carbon tax by July 2014. He called on the Labor party not to block the legislation.
What do you think of the carbon tax in Australia? Is it harmful to the local economy?
Is it good for the environment?
I think this is the only govt which did solid steps to enforce the Kyoto protocol and control carbon emissions.
I think all nations must be united to control greenhouse emissions if we are to arrest climate change which results in more powerful typhoons and constant floodings
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