WORKSHOP 1: Australia’s net zero trajectory – exploring the economic implications

Conveners: Stuart Whitten, CSIRO; Rebecca Cassells, The Treasury, Australian Government; and Professor Frank Jotzo, The Australian National University

Time: 8:30am welcome tea and coffee, workshop: 9:00am - 5:00pm 
In-person only
 

Workshop overview
There is no greater challenge for the applied economics profession in Australia than supporting the transition to net zero emissions. The structure of Australia’s economy and especially our electricity sector, our geographic context which influences both our energy footprint and future options, and the legacies of decisions past and present all influence the paths Australia has available to support the two aspects of a net zero economy – to decarbonize the economy on the one hand, and to develop a negative emissions economy on the other. This workshop will focus on the overall challenge of achieving net zero for Australia; with focused sessions on the electricity sector, and regional challenges and opportunities facing the nation.
 

The objectives of this workshop are to:

• Explore the state of knowledge and key aspects of a net zero transition for Australia encompassing the interaction with global targets and achievements to date, economic implications, and similarities and differences to our near neighbours. 
• Explore the decarbonization challenges in the Australian electricity sector alongside the implications for demand from electrification of other current energy sources.
• Explore the regional opportunities and challenges of delivering net zero for Australia, and a lesser extent the region.
• Engage in a timely discussion of the key policy challenges as Australia grapples with reaching net zero.

The workshop will be timely for the many policy and analytical professionals who are grappling with understanding the scale and implications of the net zero transition for Australia. 

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear a diverse set of perspectives on the economic implications of a net zero transition in Australia, engage with presenters in panel sessions, and to leave with an understanding of the practical and policy challenges across the economy of achieving net zero emissions in Australia. It is our hope that participants will leave better informed to consider and contribute to urgent debates around the speed of transition, including the next Nationally Determined Contribution target for 2035, and the sectoral pathways in development by the Australian Government. 
 

This workshop is for you if you are:

• A professional supporting policy development in state and national governments and want to know more about where your work fits in the bigger picture
• A consultant keen to understand the net zero state of play 
• A stakeholder keen to identify sectoral challenges and opportunities 
• A researcher wanting to identify the applied research needs to support a net zero transition