Central-local government relations and China's clean energy transition

This talk examines prospects for China’s clean energy transition in the context of the current phase of re-centralisation under Xi Jinping. Perspectives on energy and environmental governance in China frequently ascribe blame for China’s environmental problems to sub-national governments’ lax environmental enforcement. Such research implicitly assumes that more central control would lead to better results.

Germany’s climate policy and the Paris Agreement

Ursula Fuentes Hutfilter will present the current state of German Climate Policy in the context of the Paris Agreement, focusing on targets for 2020, 2030, and 2050. She will discuss how this relates to the EU Climate Policy and targets and give an overview of the latest work of the Climate Action Tracker, an independent analysis tracking climate action since 2009 in 32 countries covering about 80% of global emissions.

Investing in change: the path to a decarbonised world

Which areas is it fair and reasonable for a university to invest in? What does forward-looking and ethical investment mean for an organisation like ANU? How should organisations like ANU structure their investment portfolios in anticipation and support of the low-carbon transition of the world economy?

This public forum will bring together expert panelists to explore these questions.

Opening address: Professor Brian P. Schmidt AC FAA FRS, President and Vice-Chancellor, ANU and 2011 Nobel Laureate Physics.

The Green Climate Fund, climate finance, and the imperatives and pathways for global transformation

Reaching the ambitions of the Paris Agreement will require global changes towards low-carbon, climate-resilient economies. We are witnessing a proliferation of green financial mechanisms and growing efforts to align investment flows to climate targets. But amidst these signs of growing appetite to shift global development pathways, what will it take to ‘green’ private sector investment flows to developing countries, as well as to reach the $100 billion per year climate finance target promised by developed countries?

Postgraduate information evening

Looking to enhance or build your public policy career? Explore your Crawford School study options at our Postgraduate Information Evening.

Staff from Crawford School will be there to discuss your options and help you find a degree that suits your career aspirations. This event takes place at the Canberra Room, Hyatt Hotel on Thursday 24 May from 5-7pm.

At Crawford School, you’ll be studying alongside Australian and international public servants and government officials under the guidance of the world’s most prominent academics.

Coal transitions: a symposium on current research

Global coal use will fall if the world economy decarbonises, as would be necessary to achieve climate change goals. Other factors may also reduce coal demand, among them reductions in the costs of renewable energy technologies and increasing focus on air pollution by some governments. The speed, extent and nature of changes in coal use, production and trade are uncertain. But it is clear the the global energy transition poses economic and social challenges to coal producers.

Markets for road use: eliminating congestion through scheduling, routing, and real-time road pricing

Traffic congestion is a global problem with annual costs approaching $1 trillion, and is a major challenge in Australian cities. The health and environmental costs are often severe. With the right policies, those costs can be greatly reduced. The Australian government has launched a review into road pricing mechanisms.

PhD information evening - National Security College

The National Security College (NSC) PhD information evening is an opportunity for aspiring PhD candidates to meet and hear from College researchers, including the Academic Director, Associate Professor Matthew Sussex, and current doctoral scholars. The NSC’s PhD Program Convenor, Dr Tim Legrand will be available to advise you on the application process, potential research topics and opportunities.

The National Security College is seeking highly motivated graduates to undertake doctoral studies in the fields of:

Understanding electricity demand: behavioural aspects and policy interventions

Household electricity demand can be strongly affected by behavioural factors, including the billing structure for electricity. The predominant billing practice, ex-post bills, make electricity consumption an intertemporal problem. With hyperbolic discounting, households’ behaviour exhibits a present bias, which also affects their consumption choices. This seminar will explore the likely effects of these behavioural issues on electricity demand and discuss possible policy options that nudge households to lower electricity usage.