A tender submitted by UniQuest Pty Limited, The University of Queensland’s main commercialisation company, has resulted in UQ experts being selected for a panel of advisers assisting the Australian Government with the design and implementation of Australia’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).
The Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change called for tenders at the end of 2007 to assist with establishing the ETS as part of an effective framework for meeting the environmental challenges of the new century.
The panel was established to provide research, expert analysis and advice on policy, legal and technical aspects of the design and implementation of the Australian Emissions Trading Scheme.
The academics involved include:
• Professor Flavio Menezes, School of Economics
• Professor John Quiggin, School of Economics
• Dr Lucas Skoufa, School of Business
• Dr David Morrison, TC Beirne School of Law
• Dr Liam Wagner, School of Economics
• Dr Ariel Liebman, School of Information Technology and Electrical Enginering
UniQuest, as one of the successful tenderers, may be engaged to undertake research as well as provide expert analysis and advice on policy, legal and technical aspects of the design and implementation of the scheme.
The scope of the consultancy services offered by UniQuest includes:
• setting greenhouse gas emission targets
• allocating emission permits
• designing and establishing a national registry to track the creation and transfer of tradeable units
• designing and establishing early action credits and offsets
• identifying taxation and accounting implications of the scheme
• economic modelling
• operating an emissions trading in a financial market context.
UniQuest’s Managing Director, Mr David Henderson, said the number of projects relating to climate change and carbon emissions contracted by the company’s Consulting and Research Division is growing.
"We have identified UQ expertise across various related sectors, including economic modelling, emissions trading, market design, greenhouse gas emissions mitigation, adaptation, policy and social issues," Mr Henderson said.
"The Australian government has recognised UQ's strengths in this area and UniQuest is the only university-based commercial entity represented on the panel.
"Auditing, calculating carbon footprints and implementing reduction schemes require responses that are based on evidence.
"With the depth and breadth of its research base in the physical, life, and social sciences, UQ is well-placed to capitalise on opportunities to assist organisations and industries with their diverse management, compliance and training needs."
About UniQuest
UniQuest is widely recognised as Australia’s largest and most successful university commercialisation group. Established by The University of Queensland in 1984, UniQuest fosters links between the University – with its valuable emerging technologies, expertise and facilities – and the financial and entrepreneurial resources of industry, business and government. For more information about UniQuest, please visit www.uniquest.com.au.
Media inquiries: Leanne Wyvill (3365 4037, 0409 767 199).
