Behind the numbers: downward trend reverses as Australia begins climb to new emissions high

Emissions grew 1.3 per cent over FY15 – the first increase in fiscal year emissions since 2005-06, ten years ago, when Australian emissions reached their historic peak, according to this report. Summary The government’s latest emissions projections were released in late December, along with an update to the NGGI for FY 2014-15, providing more detailed insight into the downgrading of Australia’s abatement task, and the government’s long-term emissions outlook. In this Market Update, we go behind the numbers to identity the key trends and implications:  The government’s latest emissions outlook has been downgraded to more accurately reflect flatter economic activity, as flagged in our March 2015 update Findings indicate national emissions grew 1.3 per cent over FY15 – the first increase in fiscal year emissions since 2005-06, ten years ago, when Australian emissions reached their historic peak Government figures indicate Australia will continue on a new upward emissions trajectory, with forecast growth of 6 per cent to 2020, despite current policy The government has confirmed emissions will not be cut to minus 5 per cent on 2000 levels by 2020, meaning it will utilise its carry-over credit under the Kyoto Protocol to meet its international commitment Notably, analysis indicates that national emissions have now commenced an upward trajectory, with Australia’s emissions growth rate through to 2020 projected to be among the highest of all developed economies Moreover, we project that Australia’s national emissions will remain on a growth pathway, despite current policy, with Australia on track to exceed its historic 2005-06 high, while no peak in emissions is expected to occur prior to 203

Living downwind from corporate social responsibility: A community perspective on corporate practice

This paper critiques dominant corporate social responsibility (CSR) theory, which claims that commercial and social goals overlap and coincide. It is suggested that this uncritical portrayal and treatment of complex industry–community relations risks neglecting the potential tensions that may arise should these goals diverge or be in conflict. In this context, the experiences of residents in a small Western Australian town are presented to describe a long-running conflict between community members and their corporate neighbour. The data point to a range of community impacts as a result of corporate activities and unearth strong differences between ‘local’ and ‘corporate’ understandings of CSR. Based on the perceived shortcomings of an economically underpinned CSR approach, we question the possibility of meeting local needs by means of economic efficiency. Calls are made for critical reflection on the key assumptions underlying dominant CSR theory and consideration is given to questions of guidance for CSR practitioners