ECON5004 Written assignment
The Australian Government has a target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. As part of
this plan there are short-run targets, such as a medium-run target in 2035.
A key sector for emissions is energy generation. This assignment focuses on strategies to reduce
emission from electricity generation.
For more information see (for example):
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/climate-change/emissions-reduction/net-zero
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/climate-change
The report
Please write a report for the Minister of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water on the
costs and benefits of different strategies to reduce carbon emissions from electricity generation in
Australia. Provide a clear recommendation for the best way or ways to reduce carbon emissions
before 2035.
Details
Using the tools of analysis from the unit, your report should evaluate different possible strategies to
reduce emissions in the industry. These alternatives could include: subsidies for particular new low-
emission technologies; regulation of emissions/output; taxes; tradeable markets. While the report
should use economic analysis, the report is for a non-economist (and non-economists in the
Department). You should also consider the feasibility of implementing the alternatives as well as
other costs and benefits of the strategies. Some of the current policies are listed here:
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/climate-change/strategies#toc_2
The report is 500 words, so you should focus on the analysis of alternative strategies to reduce
emissions (not recount the details of the policy, Paris agreement, and so on). Your report is on the
economics of the alternative strategies (not the politics).
Credit will be given for the analysis, the structure of the arguments, and the final recommendations.
Your introduction can be very brief and the conclusion can be your final recommendations. The bulk
of the 500 words should be the analysis of the alternatives. You do not need to consider all
alternative strategies; you can focus on several main categories.
Make sure you reference your report; references need to be complete and consistent. This is not a
research project – it is an analysis task, so you will probably only need a couple of references.
Due date 13.00 13 May