The Grattan Institute’s David Blowers writes in The Conversation (14.4.16) about the inconsistent policy landscape and convoluted political debate that has surrounded the Renewable Energy Target scheme in recent years. He claims that, if governments were to implement sensible, evidence-driven climate policy, the ‘heat’ would be taken out of the debate and the RET scheme would ultimately be less necessary anyway.
‘Australia’s Renewable Energy Target (RET) has had a rough time in recent years. After a 2014 government review recommended it be abolished, both major parties eventually agreed to downsize the RET in 2015. But even with bipartisan support, investment in new projects has slowed to a trickle.
‘Endless politicking over the policy has damaged investor confidence, which shows only limited signs of recovery.
‘So how do we bring investor confidence back to the sector? We provide a solution in our latest report from the Grattan Institute: a healthy climate policy. A good climate policy, perhaps surprisingly, means that one day we won’t need the RET at all.’