The Renewable Energy Policy Applied in Both Australia and Japan - Case Study Example

Australia and Japan Name: Course: Tutor: Date: Australia and Japan Introduction An abundance of natural resources is enjoyed by the Australians and gives them full potential of becoming superpowers of energy globally. Sustained growth economically, serves the country with high labour and productivity in general plus, strong records of the environment, which continue to give the nation prosperity especially in the energy sector. Australians have enjoyed low energy costs due to their vast resources of energy (International Energy Agency, 2005, p. 29). However, Australias lifestyle and economy experiences competitive markets, effective domestic response and issues of the global environment underpinning the contribution of energy substantially. Additionally, this access to low energy cost underpins the industrial base of Australia like cement, paper, steel and aluminium. The sector of energy, in Australia, is a leading employer, since it directly provides 120,000 jobs to Australians, and more in the community (Australia, 1977, p. 83). Japan, on the other hand, has faced an economic dead-end, for example, the twin Tohoku earthquake and nuclear accident in Fukushima, natural disasters. In this essay, rising arguments portray how Japan intends to deal with this situation by exploring the current window of opportunity and making future investments based on renewable supply of energy on an economic base. The conceptualization of a future green policy of energy is the main focus and gives detailed coverage of present risks and political weaknesses experienced by the population. This new economy is beneficial to the Japanese since it gives them a chance of jumpstarting their economy by creating employment opportunities, attracting innovation and investment and energy politics correction of power asymmetries. Japanese people are rethinking current policies of energy that range from industrialized to circulation and trade. Japan is famously referred to as a resource-poor country, but with new policies stipulated to the energy sector, it will be regarded as a resource. This paper intends to display energy policies that contribute to economic development of Australia and Japan and will show the similarities and differences of the policy stipulated. Policy or regulatory issue In Japan, nuclear energy is acknowledged to have no place therefore, the window of opportunity presented is sustainable standards of living, which addresses their economic problems through investments projects of future energy policies. The adoption of energy source diversification policy encompassed various measures of energy efficiency with regard to technical development encouraged to facilitate the inception and development of renewable energy (Jupesta & Suwa, 2011, 23). Australia gives focus to the enhancement of Renewable Energy Act, which provides the country with a solid foundation meeting the energy needs of the nation. This market-based model supports renewable of energy, which contributes to the reduction of greenhouse emission of gases and thus, encourages technological mix. Additionally, generation of additional electricity from renewable energy is encouraged and introduction of the portfolio approach. As such, the impacts of implementation of this policy are immense since no wastage is incurred for non-plantation forestry (Next Energy, 2001, p. 5). Natural resources are no longer depleted, but rather, they are put into good use for the future establishment of industry that build the economy of the country. This policy is vital to both countries because it gives them an opportunity to utilize their natural resources in a meaningful way that positively affects their economy. Renewable energy is one of the issues that reduce the effects of global warming activities and thus, it gives individuals a chance to exploit other measures of development. This policy is contributes to improvement measures laid down by countries in different countries and makes use of natural resources thereby, giving a chance to depleted resources like forests to grow and add value to the environment. Aspects of pollution are also minimized by the introduction of renewable energy policy, which promotes eco friendly environments by using solar energy in generation of electricity (Foster, 2009, p. 234). This approach is affordable to individuals in the society and hence, everybody enjoys electricity power generated from solar. For example, lanterns are manufactured and fairly distributed to reach indigenous people who lack electricity commodity. The economic importance of this policy is ascribed to the fact that, many industries will employ people for manufacturing of solar products to be circulated within the nation and globally. This advantage gives individuals a chance to enjoy improved living standards that accommodates the needs of their family. The nation faces governmental pits in economic aspects, which motivates their desire of developing further, export of hydro-carbon sector against global warming concerns of the population (OECD, 2010, p. 109). The economy of the country is also enhanced and thus, they become recognized as superpowers in the production of renewable energy. Sustainable development is achieved through the installation of solar panels in remote areas that enable community members enjoy amenities like research and development, educational resources even environment attractive technologies. This will act as a tourist attraction centre that educates and passes knowledge to other people. Australia and Japanes promotion of renewable energy production as a source of energy will entail the introduction of carbon tax and proceeds allocation of renewable energy research and development (Jordan-Korte, 2011, p. 104). In Japan, they depend too much on nuclear energy, but with the introduction of renewable energy, the country is expected to enjoy competitive costs and gap reduction measures. Japan needs to change its dependence on nuclear power as a source of energy because it brings about health risks of individuals in the country. Additionally, natural disasters facing the nation due to nuclear powers have led to the deterioration of the economy, and thus, GDP level is reduced. This implies that goods and services offered in the country will be minimized and scarcity of commodities. The health hazards associated with these powers include earthquakes, which bring about loss of family members and increase of shanty houses due to displacement after the disaster. Also, health risks increase and contributes to poor sanitation measures, which leads to mismanagement of health funds with the pretext of helping the less privileged members of the society. In Australia, their vast resource of energy production is from natural gas and uranium. Nation’s resource of oil is from reserves, but is declining since new discoveries have not been made (Energy Task Force, 2004, p. 41). These posses as a major problem for the industry since coal are depleted. However, the solutions to such cases include exploring of petroleum discoveries and implementation of renewable energy policy (Energy Task Force, 2004, p. 42). Australia has access to hydro, solar and water energy sources, but has used the hot, dry rocks and waves renewable sources. As a result, researchers need to investigate where these energy resources can be used in order to, extensively utilize their resources. This will reduce the chances of over exploiting a renewable energy source (Energy Task Force, 2004, p. 47). The policies aim at maximizing Australians economic value by providing consumers with a consistent supply of energy that is competitively priced. It also ensures that an appropriate measure of return to the community for resources depleted and meeting of social and environmental objectives (Energy Task Force, 2004, p. 50). There is urgency for reform of Australians energy and hence, large-scale investments and improvement of efficiency of energy needs to be put in place. In the eastern state of Australia, New South Wales and Queensland, need to refurbish existing networks and replace old power plants hence, create job opportunities and improve people’s living standards. This will also increase the GDP of the country and production of goods at an affordable price (Energy Task Force, 2004, p. 69). Australians history of several state governments has developed programmes of energy efficiency separate from and added to programmes of limited federal governments. In other words, they are giving much attention to energy efficiency, which looks forward to a scheme called, cap-and-trade (The Regulatory Assistance Project, 2010, pp. 5-6). Japan has been able to achieve significant improvements in efficiency of energy in residential sectors of housing. This is through the development and deployment, which focuses on using more efficient equipments and appliances (The Regulatory Assistance Project, 2010, p. 12). Australia has adopted the use of alternative pathways that encompass unwavering support of the political government, both public and private investment sectors (Christoff, 2009, p. 59). This has enabled the nation meet their growing export market for uranium, gas and coal. Another trajectory is the growing demand shaping the public’s response to global warming challenges that include price of carbon on domestic fossil fuel use, increases renewable energy support and limiting of national emission. Japan has also adopted new technologies that give prevalence to their renewable energy source (Foster, 2009, p. 149) and thus, it is more effective than Australia because it relies on modern technology for implementation of policies to human-interaction. In conclusion, the renewable energy policy applied in both Australia and Japan aims at meeting growth of the country’s economy. This has impacted the population in a positive way by improving their lifestyles, living conditions through the creation of employment opportunities. This has also led to the reduction of wasting natural resources like forests and water catchment areas. Japan is more effective in implementing its policies since it uses modern technology and addresses the issue of nuclear weapons. The nation is contributing in this policy by being innovative in the manufacture of products relating to renewable energy like solar lanterns. The policy is effective in both countries and has led to the reduction of global warming activities and emission of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. References Australia. National Energy Advisory Committee, Australia. Dept. of National Development. (1977). Australia's energy resources: an assessment. Australia: Published by the Dept. of National Development on behalf of the National Energy Advisory Committee, Christoff, P. (2009). Australia: Energy Policy on Divergent Paths. ABARE (4): 59-63. Diesenndorf, M. (2010). Sustainable Energy Policy for Australia. EnergyScience Coalition – Briefing Paper #5. Energy Task Force. (2004). Securing Australia’s Energy Future. Overview 1-104. Foster, R. (2009). Solar Energy: Renewable Energy and the Environment. Florida: CRC Press. International Energy Agency. (2005). Energy Policies of IEA Countries: Australia 2005 Review. France: OECD Publishing. Jupesat, J & Suwa, A. (2011). Sustainable Energy Policy in Japan, Post Fukushima. International Association for Energy Economics. Fourth Quarterly. Next Energy. (2001). Energy Policy Priorities for Environmental Protection, Energy Security and Reliability, and the Economy. Next Energy Pty Ltd: Sydney. The Regulatory Assistance Project. (2010). A Comparison of Energy Efficiency Programmes for Existing Homes in Eleven Countries. Department of Energy and Climate Change: United Kingdom. Jordan-Korte, K. (2011). Government Promotion of Renewable Energy Technologies: Policy Approaches and Market Development in Germany, the United States, and Japan Gabler Research. New York: Springer. Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development. (2010). OECD Environmental Performance Reviews OECD Environmental Performance Reviews: Japan 2010. Paris: OECD Publishing. Yencken, D & Wilkinson. (2001). Resetting the Compass: Australia's Journey Towards Sustainability. Victoria, Australia: Csiro Publishing. Read More