Snapshot On 10 January 2023 the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) released a position paper for consultation detailing proposed reforms to the Safeguard Mechanism. The reforms are directed at achieving Australia’s emissions reductions target of 43% below 2005 levels by 2030 and commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, and … Read more

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

On 6 December 2022, the Western Australian State Government announced a new approach to fast-track green energy approvals, intended to ‘slash approval timeframes’ for green energy projects. Snapshot A new dedicated cross-government Green Energy Assessment Unit will be established by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation. A Green Energy Panel comprising Government and industry … Read more

On 14 November 2022, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese gave a keynote address at the B20 summit (the business arm of the G20 summit) on building a strong and resilient economic strategy. Collaboration on climate change was called out by Prime Minister Albanese as a particular opportunity in Australia’s and other nations’ economic recovery from … Read more

The NSW Government has released a revised Large-Scale Solar Energy Guideline (Guideline), which provides updated direction on the planning framework and assessment of State significant development (SSD) solar developments, including how the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) will assess impacts. Read more

The Federal Government has tabled its Climate Change Bill 2022 (the Bill) which – if passed – will enshrine into law the Government’s emissions reduction targets. A second bill, the Climate Change (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2022 (the Amendments Bill) would define these targets as objectives of a range of government agencies and programs. Read more

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 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