A report card of G20 countries' climate policies finds Australia is one of the least attractive green investment destinations. Hundreds of investors, who collectively manage more than US$46 trillion in assets are urging Australia to make deep emissions cuts this decade. Staying with climate, the Nationals say their support for net zero emissions will not be bought by "thirty pieces of silver", what might a net zero deal involve? Plus, last week's spending data in Sydney. Guests: Rebecca Mikula-Wright, CEO Investor Group on Climate Change Nicki Hutley, economics spokesperson, The Climate Council Lachlan Vass, economist, Accenture

The Money - ABC RN

"Climate risk is investment risk"

America's inflation rate has risen to 5.4 per cent, reflecting shortages and higher prices for food, energy and housing. Are there implications for Australia? How Europe's Carbon Border Adjustments will affect Australian exporters and emissions. Plus, how the Nobel economics prize winners better estimated the effects of immigration and the minimum wage. Guests: Jason Murphy, economist Tennant Reed, climate, energy and environment policy analyst, The Australian Industry Group Professor Richard Holden, Future Fellow, UNSW Business School

Is inflation creeping back?

With Australia under pressure to commit to net zero emissions by 2050 before COP26, how would net zero affect the economy? How important are shorter term targets, legal obligations and policies to help deliver any promised cuts? Plus, what's happened to the predicted tsunami of business insolvencies? And, lessons from the Pandora Papers — calls to name and shame tax evaders, and end loopholes in anti-money laundering laws. Most of the states are already committed to net zero by 2050, a lot of Australian companies are as well. So if the Federal Government makes the same commitment, what difference would it make? Guests: Hugh Grossman, Executive Director, RepuTex Energy Nassim Khadem, business reporter, ABC News John Winter, Chief Executive, Australian Restructuring Insolvency and Turnaround Association

Expectations of net-zero commitment, but policy lags behind

With tax income from lucrative trade routes and finance from countries such as China or Pakistan, how insulated are the Taliban from the western threat of sanctions and the freeze of international funds? Plus, accounting for climate change — latest research on translating climate data into financial risk. Guests: David Mansfield, independent consultant, author of A State Built on Sand: How opium undermined Afghanistan @mansfieldintinc Dr Tanya Fielder, accounting lecturer, University of Sydney @TanyaFiedler  

The Taliban economy

Australia's move to acquire nuclear-powered submarines and the scrapping its $90 billion submarine program with France has had diplomatic consequences – but what can be assumed about the costs, timeframes and local involvement? Plus, shipping costs, stock delays and supply chain stresses as the pandemic continues. Guests: Dr Marcus Hellyer, Senior Analyst specialising in defence economics and military capability, Australian Strategic Policy Institute Elizabeth Jackson, Senior Lecturer, Curtin University

Underwater costs: Australia’s move to nuclear submarines

The Money isn't on air at the moment while Richard is making a special series on misinformation. Please enjoy The Economists during our break. Peter Martin and Gigi Foster use the tools of economics to shine a light on life. Here's an excerpt.

PRESENTS — The Economists

Last year in the pandemic a lot of people withdrew their superannuation under the Early Release Scheme. For many, it was a lifeline to cover food, rent and pay down debt in case things got worse. For others, it was about replacing an ageing car, or trying to save or even start a business. And surprise, surprise, overall it's worked out worse for women than for men. Plus, cuckoo smurfing — what it is, how to spot it, how to make sure it doesn't happen to you. Guests: Shane Oliver, Chief Economist, AMP Capital Melissa Birks, General Manager, Advocacy, The Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees Gillian Kilgour, MetalSmiths Jewellery Collective Tamika Hicks, Manager and Founder, Cardinia lakes Early Learning Centre Marcus Erikson, Director of Intelligence, AUSTRAC

How we dipped into our super during COVID

Could we have a travel bubble with Singapore and what are the advantages of getting it done? Plus, the economic consequences of something that affects so many of us — loneliness. And the massive financial intelligence trove gained from the Trojan Shield sting against organised crime should leave convicted criminals "broke". Guests: Nathan Lynch, Asia-Pacific Manager, Regulatory Intelligence, Thomson Reuters Claryn Kung, Research Fellow, Monash University, Centre of Health Economics Simon Baptist, Chief Economist, The Economist Intelligence Unit

Financial intelligence trove from Operation Ironside

COVID disaster payments for Melbourne residents who are unable to work will be part of a new national scheme available to other states if lockdowns last for more than a week. The latest blow to Victoria's economy follows GDP figures which show that Australia's economy has bounced back from the pandemic recession. Plus, the economic costs of racism and Australian researchers find that business leaders are more optimistic about their company's profit outlook when the sun is shining - investors might want to check the weather forecast before making financial decisions. Guests: Danielle Wood, CEO, Grattan Institute Associate Professor Edward Podolski, Deakin University Business School Amanuel Elias, Alfred Deakin Institute, Deakin University

Disaster payments for Melbourne, and how sunshine affects corporate decision making

Meet an award winning, Aboriginal-owned construction and maintenance services business that’s part of the booming $4.8 billion Indigenous business sector. Plus, Newcastle City Council’s program to attract talented, community-minded workers. And the tough cost of Victoria’s latest lockdown. Guests: Gerard Matera, Director, building services company Marawar Professor Michelle Evans, University of Melbourne Indigenous Business Research Group Felicia Mariani, CEO, Victoria Tourism Industry Council Majed Traboulsi, New Move applicant Buzzy Gray, New Move applicant Declan Clausen, Deputy Lord Mayor, City of Newcastle

Growing Indigenous business sector worth billions

A stake in the famed New Zealand All Blacks is to be sold to a US private equity firm - with Rugby Australia in a dire financial situation, will private equity also offer the Wallabies a lifeline? Plus, as the International Energy Agency calls time on fossil fuel exploration and investment, and sets out the roadmap for a global energy transition, Australia fires-up plans for a gas led economic recovery. Guests: Hamish McLennan, Chair, Rugby Australia John Stensholt, business reporter, The Australian Simon Chadwick, Professor of Eurasian Sport, Emlyon Business School, France Nicki Hutley, economist, The Climate Council Samantha Hepburn, Director of the Centre for Energy and Natural Resources Law, Deakin Law School, Deakin University

A slice of heaven: All Blacks and Wallabies consider private equity

How low will unemployment have to go before Australians get a wage rise? Analysis of Federal Budget housing measures for single parents, first home buyers and older people thinking of selling the family home. Plus, beer, Superbowl tickets and a million-dollar lottery - can incentives boost rates of vaccination in the United States? Guests: Sarah Hunter, Chief Economist, BIS Oxford Economics Professor Rachel Ong ViforJ, Curtin University Lloyd Edge, buyer’s agent, Director of Aus Property Professionals

How much of a difference will the Budget make to housing?

The economic implications of India's second COVID wave. Plus, revenue is up at Netflix Australia after we binged on shows during pandemic lockdowns. Despite the boost in revenue, the streaming giant paid only $553,705 in local income tax. It’s legal but there may be tax changes on the way. And the power of quotas and why Australia needs them. Guests: Gabriela D’Souza, Senior Economist, Committee for Economic Development of Australia Rodney Brown, UNSW Business School Professor Alison Pullen, Macquarie Business School

India’s economic pain as the pandemic rages

Most Australians use a tax agent or accountant to manage their returns and sort out complex deductions – it’s a deductable cost. What if everyone was entitled to a $3000 annual standard tax deduction? Plus, an unlikely coalition of parenting, union and business groups call on the Federal Government to prioritise economic security for women in next month's budget. And the value of trust in digital retail. Guests: Michelle O’Neil, President, Australian Council of Trade Unions Steven Hamilton, Chief Economist, Blueprint Institute Emma Beal, Researcher, Blueprint Institute Professor Michael Rosemann, Director, QUT Centre for Future Enterprise

No more tax returns: a proposal for standard deductions

The island nation of Nauru has been readmitted to the World Bank’s high-income club. The turnaround in Nauru’s economic woes is partly due to increased income from fishing licences - but it is revenue from Australia’s Regional Processing Centre that's transformed the tiny economy. Plus, back in the penalty box – trade sanctions are expected as the Commonwealth cancels Victorian agreements with China’s Belt and Road project. And Menulog trials employing food delivery riders. Guests: Richard McGregor, Senior Fellow, Lowy Institute Professor Stephen Howes, Director, Development Policy Centre, Professor of Economics at the Crawford School, ANU Tom Barratt, Lecturer, Centre for Work and Wellbeing, Edith Cowan University Michael Kaine, National Secretary, Transport Workers Union

Nauru rejoins the high income club

The Money is a weekly 30 minute program that explains how the Australian economy and everything in it works, and how this all connects to the global economy.