Net Zero Commission Chair: Why Climate Policy Requires Patience Over Perfection

Nick Stern articulated a pressing challenge in climate change back in his Oxonia lecture, describing it as a “complex, inter-temporal, international, collective action problem, under uncertainty.” Tackling climate change isn’t simple; it requires a blend of disciplines and long-term thinking.

After working on climate issues for nearly 30 years, I see two key truths. First, a brief period of perfect political conditions won’t solve our problems if those conditions fade.

In this vibrant democracy, we may never achieve total policy ‘certainty.’

We don’t see it in health, the economy, or education, so why expect it in climate policy? Instead, we can aim for stability and continuity through solid legislation and institution building. This was the foundation for the UK’s 2008 Climate Change Act and the formation of the Committee on Climate Change (CCC). This structure keeps climate response in the policy conversation, establishing UK climate budgets and advising the government on how to meet them.

When I was at Downing Street in 2004, coal provided about 34% of UK electricity, while renewables contributed only 3.6%. Fast forward to last year, and renewables made up 51%, with coal dropping to under 1%. This shift wasn’t accidental; it stemmed from the stability provided by the 2008 legislation.

So, should we simply replicate the UK’s approach? Not quite. The Net Zero Commission is researching various international strategies to learn and adapt effectively.

Yet there’s another crucial aspect: climate policy is still developing. Consider this historical context. The Romans and Persians had advanced transport and infrastructure systems thousands of years ago. Meanwhile, early examples of sustainable engineering, like the stone channels at Baiame’s Ngunnhu, have been around for ages. In contrast, our environmental policies are relatively young. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change only became active in 1994.

Our meaningful response to climate change spans just 31 years.

If separating energy growth from economic and emissions growth were easy, we would have accomplished it by now. Addressing climate change requires us to harness the best minds and ground our policies in robust evidence.

That’s why initiatives like the UNSW Institute for Climate Risk and Response are so inspiring. Collaborating with fellow Net Zero Commissioners and our dedicated team gives me hope. We need a commitment to stability, which the Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Act 2023 supports across the political landscape in NSW.

Creativity and rigorous thinking are essential, pulling in insights from diverse fields. This comprehensive approach aims to explore if Australia can serve as a model for how a resource-rich economy can transition to a lower carbon footprint. Thoughtful minds like Matt Kean and Richie Merzian are already working on this vision.

Ultimately, it’s crucial to engage everyone in this collective journey. Current discussions reveal that our understanding and response to climate change will shape a sustainable future; one thoughtful decision at a time.

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UNSW Institute for Climate Risk & Response