Carbon Dioxide Emissions in Australia and Climate Change

Market-based policies are a proven way to limit carbon pollution and channel capital and innovation into clean energy, helping to avert the catastrophic consequences of climate change† - EDF vice president for international climate, Nathaniel Keohan Introduction In a contemporary political setting, it is now broadly recognized that over the 20th century, the atmospheric concentrations of key greenhouse gases, particularly Carbon Dioxide have been amplified by human activity. Australia can be held accountable for around 1.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. However, Australia is one of the largest carbon polluters per capita, sitting around 24.4 tonnes per person. Much policy discussion about climate change suggests that surplus carbon emissions are the result of failure of the market. 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