Europe’s low carbon price hit Australia’s budget last week in a big way. Erwin Jackson from the Climate Institute explains why, and looks at what might happen next, in this Crikey piece.

Carbon. It’s a good thing. It’s in all life. But like alcohol and chocolate you can have too much of a good thing, writes John Connor in Climate Spectator.

Some investors have been working on addressing the threats of climate change for more than a decade. The main driver for this has been the acceptance of the science of human-induced climate change. The logical next step is to think about the future: what are the ramifications for our environment, communities, economies and investments from the scientific projections of a changing climate?

The European Union’s recent decision not to bolster credibility in its carbon market struck a chord in Australia’s political debate. Speculation about how it would impact on Australia’s price when it floats (or sinks) in 2015, and the knock-on effects to federal budget revenues resulted in a stream of media questions for the prime minister and the treasurer.

As Australia’s Climate Change Authority turns its focus to long-term climate ambitions, Erwin Jackson analyses the different options for the country’s emissions budgets.