tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779214069940998455.post6175483629700946388..comments2009-12-21T00:30:34.556ZSean Kidneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17034442284624417530noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779214069940998455.post-56545575992968219692009-12-21T00:30:34.556Z2009-12-21T00:30:34.556ZI think we&#39;re already seeing difficulties with the financing of carbon intensive investment - as per Ian McFarlane&#39;s comment on 4Corners that no new coal fired power plant will ever be built in Australia again. Even without a Cop Agreement, financiers are fearful of the uncertainty around carbon prices.<br /><br />Yes, I agree that direct investment and a variety of mandatory policies are now needed. At least that&#39;s our only hope!Sean Kidneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17034442284624417530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779214069940998455.post-17297730605417016642009-12-21T00:23:32.697Z2009-12-21T00:23:32.697ZHi Sean, I saw a quote from you in today&#39;s Age about Rudd&#39;s performance on climate change - that it is &#39;too late to rely<br />purely on market mechanisms<br />to deliver the harder and faster<br />emissions targets needed&#39;. I&#39;m happy you have made a pragmatic point about the usefulness of carbon pricing! I am a fan of market mechanisms too but the price signal will take way too long to start impacting on consumer and business behaviours. The only saving grace might be the inability of carbon-intensive businesses to obtain finance for projects and the relative ease with which clean projects will be able to get off the ground. Direct investment and mandatory government measures are the only actions which will reduce emissions in line with IPCC projections.Ryan Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17275943595193143889noreply@blogger.com