Welcoming Rod Sims AO: Championing climate action and productivity
We are pleased to announce that Rod Sims AO has joined the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research as an esteemed Enterprise Professor.
His expertise in competition policy and climate change mitigation is a valuable asset for advancing our organisation’s mission to tackle Australia’s most challenging economic and social issues.
The University of Melbourne offers Enterprise Professor appointments to industry leaders who bring distinctive knowledge and offer valuable contributions to research and engagement.
Sims is currently Chair of the Superpower Institute and Chair of Australia’s National Data Advisory Committee. He is also an Expert Adviser to the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority on digital platform issues and an Expert Adviser to the Commonwealth Treasury’s Competition Task Force. He served as Chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission for 11 years. Prior to that, he held a range of senior corporate positions (learn more).
In a recent speech for the NSW Treasury and Economic Society's Distinguished Speaker Event, Sims eloquently argued the case for establishing a price on carbon:
“Those wanting climate action have been forced to fight on weaker ground by defending inefficient measures. The most efficient and cost-effective way to reduce emissions is a carbon tax, which clearly compensates all but the largest users of electricity… A carbon price would significantly improve productivity by replacing ad hoc energy transition measures with a more market-driven approach, contributing to Australia’s budget repair at a time when it is under stress.”
Read the full speech here – Now is the time for a price on carbon.
Challenges surrounding the transition to net zero, particularly regarding political opposition and public support, are well documented. Despite these hurdles, Sims joins many of Australia’s leading economic thinkers in arguing that the most effective path to net-zero and improved productivity is to reintroduce a carbon price.