Treaty on maritime biodiversity finalised

10 March, 2023
On 4 March 2023, the UN Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (Conference) reached agreement on the text of a new treaty which seeks to protect the marine environment. The Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological … Read more

Independent Review of Australian Carbon Credit Units Released

10 January, 2023
The panel appointed by the Australian Government to review the integrity of the Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme under the Emissions Reductions Fund has delivered its report. The panel rejected claims about the integrity of ACCUs and concluded the framework of the scheme is “essentially sound” but included 16 recommendations for significant changes be made … Read more

Auditor General’s report on DMIRS and DWER compliance and enforcement

23 December, 2022
On 20 December 2022, the Auditor General tabled in Parliament the Compliance with Mining Environmental Conditions Report. The Report follows an assessment on whether the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) effectively ensured miners compliance with environmental conditions. The Report found that both DMIRS … Read more

Public Consultation open for GO Scheme for hydrogen and renewable energy certification

16 December, 2022
The Australian government is consulting with stakeholders on two policy papers drafted for a proposed Guarantee of Origin (GO) Scheme for hydrogen and renewable electricity certification. Consultation on the policy papers closes on 3 February 2023. Snapshot The Guarantee of Origin (GO) Scheme is proposed to measure, track and verify greenhouse gas emissions, initially for … Read more

Reforming the Safeguard Mechanism

19 August, 2022
Government has announced that it will review the operation of the Safeguard Mechanism with a view to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from Australia’s highest emitting facilities. Comments on the discussion paper are due by 20 September 2022, with key issues in the discussion paper being calculation of baselines, the use of crediting mechanisms. Read more

The Third Wheel Podcast Series: ESG in Australia Episode 17

12 July, 2022
By Timothy Stutt, Melanie Debenham and Kathryn Pacey Episode 17 – Australian Federal Election results with Kathryn Pacey Mel and Tim are joined by Kathryn Pacey to break down an historic election where climate change featured prominently. The first six weeks of a new government have provided much to discuss including the Climate Change Bill to … Read more

New Government, new Minister, new Federal environmental laws?

08 June, 2022
Going into the recent Federal election, the Australian Labor Party committed to establishing an independent Environment Protection Agency and providing a full response to the review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth). With the new Ministry now sworn in, we look at what changes these commitments might bring. Read more

The election and the environment: what happens next?

23 May, 2022
The recent Australian Federal election has resulted in a change of government. While the government is settling in, our Environment, Planning and Communities partners set out their top 5 predictions for coming change on environmental matters, and where the priorities should lie. Read more

Federal Minister for the Environment does not owe duty of care

15 March, 2022
The Full Federal Court handed down its much-anticipated judgment in Sharma today. A summary of the judgment of the Full Federal Court allowing the appeal is set out below, with the full judgment available here. The Minister for the environment does not owe a novel duty of care at common law when exercising her power … Read more