Executive Summary

This briefing paper compares what the Australian government is doing on climate change with the countries most relevant and important to Australia: allies and trading partners.

The paper looks at China, the UK, South Korea, and the US. Examining what peers and partners are doing on climate policy gives a practical sense of how Australia compares with the countries most critical to its future.

Key findings:

• Major trading partners and allies are doing more on climate change policy than Australia, taking a more comprehensive and innovative approach and showing more vision

• Australia is lagging behind on policy areas such as energy efficiency, vehicle emissions and carbon pricing and is not showing leadership

• In the countries examined, climate policies have often been implemented by conservative parties

• Durable, stable climate policies tend to have bipartisan support.