Mandatory greenhouse reporting - are you NGER ready? - 27 July 2009
With the registration deadline for Australia’s mandatory greenhouse reporting scheme only six weeks away, liable corporations are now at the business end of greenhouse reporting. This alert provides a compliance checklist covering the main areas of National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER).
Overhaul of development regulation in Qld - life after IPA - 25 June 2009
The long awaited and much anticipated, Sustainable Planning Bill 2009 (Qld) (“SPB”) was recently introduced into State Parliament. Eleven years after introducing significant reforms to Queensland’s development regulation and assessment processes, the Integrated Planning Act 1997 (Qld) (“IPA”) will be completely replaced by the SPB.
Australian Government releases draft emissions trading legislation - 11 March 2009
Hot on the heels of its controversial policy paper, the Australian Government yesterday released the draft legislation for its proposed emissions trading scheme. The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Bill, along with five other draft bills, will establish the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.
Australia commits to 5% greenhouse emissions cut - 15 December 2008
The Australian Government today committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 5% from 2000 levels by 2020, with an offer to increase the cut to 15% if a global agreement on carbon reductions can be reached.
Treasury modelling suggests CCS development vital - 30 October 2008
The Government today launched its Australia's Low Pollution Future Report which presents the Treasury’s long awaited modelling on the costs and opportunities of climate change mitigation. The modelling suggests that Australia’s mitigation costs will be significantly reduced if carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology is commercially developed in Australia. The international trading of permits will also help to minimise Australia’s mitigation costs.
Reduce carbon by 10% by 2020: Garnaut - 5 September 2008
Prof Ross Garnaut, the Australian Government’s emissions trading adviser, recommends Australia commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 90% of 2000 levels by 2020. Launching his “Targets and Trajectories” report today, Prof Ross Garnaut advocated a unilateral commitment to reducing emissions by 5% regardless of international negotiations and by 10% if a comprehensive international agreement can be reached on emissions reductions.
Full steam ahead - Garnaut’s emissions trading plan - 4 July 2008
Professor Garnaut today launched his much-anticipated Draft Report, reaffirming his view that an Australian emissions trading scheme (ETS) should have broad coverage and that there should be no compensation for industries such as the power sector.
Crucial greenhouse reporting instruments released - 30 June 2008
Last Friday the Federal Government completed a release of three legislative instruments to streamline reporting under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) Act as well as providing Regulations and a monitoring methodology instrument, known as a “Determination”, to allow corporations to consolidate their reporting obligations.
Energy efficiency reforms introduced in Queensland - 21 May 2008
The Clean Energy Act 2008 (Qld) was introduced into the Queensland Parliament on 29 April 2008 and passed on 14 May 2008. The primary purpose of the Act is to introduce the Smart Energy Savings Program and to amend the Electricity Act 1994 to increase the 13% Gas Scheme annual liability for electricity retailers to 15% by 2010 and progressively to 18% beyond 2010.
Greenhouse Gas Storage Bill released - 20 May 2008
After much anticipation, the long awaited exposure draft of the Offshore Petroleum (Greenhouse Gas Storage) Amendment Bill has been released for public comment. The bill is a significant step at the Federal level to set up a regulatory regime to facilitate carbon capture and storage (CCS), a major potential abatement measure to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases.
Mandatory carbon reporting - are you ready? - 13 May 2008
A large number of Australian businesses will, for the first time, be required to monitor and report their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions under new Commonwealth legislation to take effect on 1 July 2008.
Harmonisation of Greenhouse Reporting Schemes - 7 May 2008
The Commonwealth has committed to removing regulatory overlap between the various greenhouse gas and energy use reporting schemes in place throughout Australia, from 1 July 2008. These proposed changes provide opportunities for you to streamline reporting and compliance systems.
Professor Garnaut releases ETS design proposal - 20 March 2008
Professor Garnaut today released his much anticipated ETS discussion paper, which sets out a design that broadly follows previous NETTs and the Prime Minister’s Task Group proposals with the following departures and new features.
Victorian Energy Efficiency Target set to launch in 2009 - 8 February 2008
Victorian energy consumers will be incentivised to reduce consumption under a new Victorian scheme.
National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting System Discussion Paper - Update - 1 February 2008
In a move with possible long-term ramifications for a national emissions trading scheme, greenhouse gas emitters could be forced to choose a carbon measurement methodology next year, according to a recent Government consultation paper.