Publisher’s Note: Slides from an excellent talk given by Trevor Berrill to the G17 group on 7 Oct 2015 and here is the summary of what Trevor had to say:
There is a transition happening internationally away from fossil fuels to renewables and energy efficiency. It is being led by a range of countries including Denmark, Germany, China (by air pollution necessity), with some States of the US. Closer to home, New Zealand, South Australia and ACT are leaders with progressive policies. By and large though, fossil fuel dominated economies such as Australia and Canada are intractable.
What are the drivers for change, how have these changed, and where does Australia/Queensland sit in this unfolding technological and potential economic/social/political shift?
This talk will clarify just where Australia, and in particular Queensland is now in relation to renewable energy and energy efficiency, and what it would take to transition to a clean energy future. It will identify a range of barriers that need to be addressed, including political aspects.