Publication

This paper discusses Australia's approach to international climate change negotiations and contends that a failure on the part of the government to pay proper attention to these negotiations would seriously endanger the country's national interests. This, the authors argue, is because Australia’s national circumstances - especially its relatively high dependence on industries that emit large quantities of greenhouse gases - are distinctive, so the country must work harder than others to advance its interests in such negotiations. They also suggest that by actively engaging in climate talks appropriately, Australia can help ensure that the next global climate agreement will allow for a smooth adjustment for both the global and the Australian economy.