Study: Australian carbon tax could mean 100 percent renewables by 2030

Australian researchers claim to have demonstrated that a tax on carbon emissions could, if structured properly, result in an energy market made up entirely of renewable energy by 2030.

One of the key policies of prime minister Julia Gillard's government has been the national carbon tax, which was introduced in July 2012. Any business that emits more than 25,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually must obtain a permit to do so, with the price rising every year to try and push firms towards lowering their emissions. That price -- or fine -- is set in law, but environmental and economics researchers from the University of New South Wales have modelled the theoretical levels that would be needed to ensure Australia's national grid by 2030 is 100 percent renewable.

By: Ian Steadman, Edited by: Olivia Solon

Continue reading...



via Wired.co.uk



http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-04/8/renewable-energy-affordable-carbon