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9 - Decarbonisation Strategies and Economic Opportunities in Australia

from Example Economies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 October 2021

By
Amandine Denis-Ryan ,
Frank Jotzo ,
Paul Graham ,
Steve Hatfield-Dodds ,
Philip Adams ,
Rob Kelly ,
Scott Ferraro ,
Andy Jones ,
Anna Skarbek  and
John Thwaites
...Show all authors
Edited by
Kenneth G. H. Baldwin ,
Mark Howden ,
Michael H. Smith ,
Karen Hussey  and
Peter J. Dawson
Kenneth G. H. Baldwin
Affiliation:
Australian National University, Canberra
Mark Howden
Affiliation:
Australian National University, Canberra
Michael H. Smith
Affiliation:
Australian National University, Canberra
Karen Hussey
Affiliation:
University of Queensland
Peter J. Dawson
Affiliation:
P. J. Dawson & Associates
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Summary

This chapter synthesises insights from the Deep Decarbonisation Pathways Project (DDPP), which provided detailed analysis of how 16 countries representing three-quarters of global emissions can transition to very low-carbon economies. The four ‘pillars’ of decarbonisation are identified as: achieving low or zero-carbon electricity supply; electrification and fuel switching in transport, industry and housing; ambitious energy efficiency improvements; and reducing non-energy emissions. The chapter focuses on decarbonisation scenarios for Australia. It shows that electricity supply can be readily decarbonised and greatly expanded to cater for electrification of transport, industry and buildings. There would be remaining emissions principally from industry and agriculture, these could be fully compensated through land-based carbon sequestration. The analysis shows that such decarbonisation would be consistent with continued growth in GDP and trade, and would require very little change in economic structure of Australia’s economy. Australia is rich in renewable energy potential, which could re-enable new industries such as energy-intensive manufacturing for export

Keywords

Low-carbon economyDeep Decarbonisation Pathways Projectrenewable energyelectrificationenergy efficiencysequestrationeconomic trajectories.
Type
Chapter
Information
Transitioning to a Prosperous, Resilient and Carbon-Free Economy
A Guide for Decision-Makers
 , pp. 203 - 236
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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