Labor's climate change bill is expected to pass but three things are missing | Frank Jotzo

It needs a roadmap to net zero, to secure the Climate Change Authority, and measures for a proper national conversationLabor's climate change bill is poised to pass the Senate after the government agreed to amendments proposed by independent senator David Pocock to improve accountability and transparency.The bill would set a national emissions target for 2030 and define a process to ratchet it up over time, as well as enshrining the goal of net zero emissions by 2050. The independent Climate Change Authority will recommend future targets. These are sound and useful elements and will serve Australia's climate policymaking well.Yet three important elements are not in the bill: a long-term roadmap to net zero, securing the future of the Climate Change Authority, and measures for a proper national conversation on our journey to net zero emissions. And the 43% emissions reduction target should be considered only a starting point.What will the shift to net zero emissions mean for our economy? Continue reading...