Isra-Mart srl : Shell supports ETS not carbon tax

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Shell Australia chair Ann Pickard says an emissions trading scheme would be a more effective way to reduce carbon emissions than the government's proposed carbon tax.

Speaking at a business forum, Ms Pickard said the oil and gas company recognised the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions and was looking for a mechanism which had the biggest environment impact at the lowest economic cost.

"Good policy is to move in the direction of a carbon price and we are very supportive of the government trying to do that," she told The Australian and Deutsche Bank business leaders forum.

Shell Australia chair Ann Pickard says an emissions trading scheme would be a more effective way to reduce carbon emissions than the government's proposed carbon tax.

Speaking at a business forum, Ms Pickard said the oil and gas company recognised the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions and was looking for a mechanism which had the biggest environment impact at the lowest economic cost.

"Good policy is to move in the direction of a carbon price and we are very supportive of the government trying to do that," she told The Australian and Deutsche Bank business leaders forum.
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"With that said and done, a carbon tax in the short term doesn't accomplish the environment outcome that we're looking forward."

Ms Pickard said with more countries moving towards an emissions trading scheme as a way to reduce carbon emissions, it was the most equitable and longer term solution.

Outgoing Woodside Petroleum chief executive Don Voelte said "until the rest of the world are leading by the nose" he did not understand why there was such a rush to introduce a carbon tax.

"If I felt this thing was going to reduce emissions and make a difference in the world, I would put Woodside so strongly behind this thing," said Mr Voelte.

"I just don't get that feeling yet."

Mr Voelte said the liquefied natural gas industry should be exempt from an carbon tax as it was "part of the solution, not part of the problem".