Special Report: Trading on our future

JUST 18 months out from the introduction of a national emissions trading scheme, uncertainty still overrides the debate over how the scheme will directly, and indirectly, affect some of Western Australia's largest businesses.

CHIEF executive of the Gull Group of Companies, Wayne Ferrell, sees both risks and opportunities in the national emissions trading scheme.

THE state's largest electricity retailer is strongly advocating the introduction of advanced metering, in-home displays and critical peak pricing so customers are provided with immediate price signals to modify their behaviour and energy use habits.

THE federal government is pinning too much hope on successful commercialisation of carbon capture and storage technology, the WA Business News emissions trading forum has heard.

A SIGNIFICANT number of liable companies remain unaware of the emissions trading scheme's potential impact on their business, according to GHD global climate change response services leader Chris Lund.

SOME of the state's largest greenhouse gas emitters have called for a moderate introduction of the emissions trading scheme to protect the country's emissions-intensive, trade-exposed industries.

WESTERN Australia is considered the next boom state for renewable energy, according to a new report from Ernst & Young.