Our experienced Climate Change team regularly publishes articles and updates - the full list of publications appears below. If you'd like to be notified when we add new climate change publications to the site, please go to our subscription page to sign up for email alerts or, alternatively, you can subscribe to our RSS feed. You can also read insights and analysis on climate change law, delivered by our Climate Change group via this blog.
Read our nine article series examining the main proposals contained in the Federal Government's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme White Paper.
- 30 July 2010
Focus: Action Plan for Climate Change announced in VictoriaVictoria plans to reduce its carbon emissions by 20 per cent compared to 2000 levels by 2020, decreasing greenhouse emissions generated by brown coal power plants by up to four million tonnes by 2014. In the absence of a federal Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, the Brumby Government claims that the strategies in its Victorian Climate Change White Paper will make Victoria the national leader in addressing the challenges associated with climate change. Partner Grant Anderson, Senior Associate Charlie Harrison and Law Graduate Natasha McNamara report
- 28 July 2010
Focus: Energy efficiency: election promises and an updateLast week, the Gillard Government announced its election promises, including its intention to introduce various measures designed to promote energy efficiency in business and industry. In part one of this Focus Partner Chris Schulz and Lawyer Nadia Harrison outline policy announcements on coal-fired power stations, light vehicles and tax deductions for expenditure on commercial buildings. In part two theyprovide an update on the progress of the recently enacted energy efficiency disclosure regime for commercial buildings
- 06 July 2010
Focus: Changes to Renewable Energy Target scheme passedThe loss of momentum post-Copenhagen does not necessarily mean all carbon pollution reduction activity has stalled. Partner Anna Collyer and Law Graduate Natasha McNamara report on legislation that splits Australia's enhanced Renewable Energy Target scheme into separate large and small-scale schemes
- 13 May 2010
Audio: Renewable energy gets ETS savingsThe Federal Government announced this week the formulation of a Renewable Energy Future Fund. Partner Anna Collyer speaks to Boardroom Radio about the possible impact of the fund on the renewable energy industry
- 04 May 2010
Focus: Energy efficiency survives despite CPRS demiseWith last week's announcement by the Federal Government that the carbon pollution reduction scheme will not be introduced until at least 2013, regulatory initiatives designed to promote energy efficiency are likely to play an even greater role in Australian climate change policy.As part of our series on energy efficiency, we outline some recent developmentsin the building sector and the work of the Prime Minister's Task Group on Energy Efficiency
- 30 April 2010
Focus: CPRS delay turns out the lights on climate policyThe Federal Government this week announced plans to delay its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme until at least 2013. This unexpected backflip, which is inconsistent with the Government's previous strong rhetoric on the need for urgent action on climate change, will exacerbate industry uncertainty about the Government's climate change policy and damage Australia's international credibility. Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer Fergus Green report
- 28 April 2010
Audio: Geothermal industry concerned by ETS demisePartner Anna Collyer recently chaired a Boardroom Radio roundtable discussion on the outlook for the geothermal industry. Anna speaks with Geodynamics Managing Director Gerry Grove-White and Australian Geothermal Energy Association Managing Director Susan Jeanes on a range issues relating to the geothermal industry
- 13 April 2010
Focus: Legislation to promote energy efficiencyNew legislation was introduced into Federal Parliament recently which, if passed, would impose energy related disclosure obligations on those offering to sell, lease or sub-lease office buildings of 2000m2 or more. This Focus is the first in a series on the Federal Government's policies to promote energy efficiency. Partner Chris Schulz and Lawyer Nadia Harrison report
- 05 March 2010
Audio: Renewables industry applauds RET splitThe Federal Government has announced significant changes to the Renewable Energy Target scheme that will split the scheme into small and large project schemes. Partner Anna Collyer speaks to Boardroom Radio about the impact of these changes on large renewable energy projects and the Federal Government's renewable energy targets
- 02 March 2010
Client Update: Changes to Renewable Energy Target scheme announcedChanges to the Renewable Energy Target scheme announced by the Federal Government will help progress projects to develop wind, solar and geothermal energy that have been on hold. Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer Nick Buttner report
- 23 December 2009
Focus: Copenhagen - a (small) step forwardAfter years of planning, months of great expectation, weeks of negotiation, days of drama and a crucial few final hours of exasperated deal-making, world leaders emerged late last Friday with a tentative political accord that sets out the broad framework from which a comprehensive treaty to address climate change may eventually emerge. Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer Fergus Green report on the outcome of the Copenhagen Conference and its implications for Australia
- 18 December 2009
Paper: One hat does not fit all - Climate change polices in the Asia Pacific regionPartner Grant Anderson and Lawyer Fergus Green review 13 Asian nations' climate change regimes
- 18 December 2009
Audio: Hopes for Copenhagen in final daysThe Copenhagen Climate Change Conference continues. Lawyer Fergus Green speaks to Boardroom Radio from Copenhagen about the latest negotiations at the conference
- 11 December 2009
Audio: Copenhagen talks progress despite leaked 'Danish texts'The Copenhagen Climate Change Conference is under way. Lawyer Fergus Green speaks to Boardroom Radio from Copenhagen about the latest negotiations at the conference
- 04 December 2009
Audio: ETS misses Copenhagen boatAustralian politics has been rocked by the Federal Government's plan to introduce an Emissions Trading Scheme. Partner Grant Anderson speaks to Boardroom Radio about how these developments will effect Australia's position at the Copenhagen conference
- 01 December 2009
Audio: Domestic climate change policyThe last 24 hours has seen Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and United States President Barack Obama meet to discuss climate change policy and dramatic political developments in Australia stemming from the domestic climate change debate. Partner Darren Murphy and Vinson & Elkins Counsel Chris Carr speak to Boardroom Radio about the political tensions, the schemes that have been proposed in Australia and the United States and some of the key issues that need to be resolved
- 30 November 2009
Focus: No political bar to US power companies being sued for emitting carbon dioxideTwo recent decisions of Federal Courts of Appeal in different Circuits in the United States have reversed the trend in lower US Courts to allow claims for damages based on climate change to be brought under federal common law nuisance principles. A more recent third decision of a lower federal District Court in a different Circuit, however, is a reminder of the hurdles for any potential climate change plaintiffs. Partners Matthew Skinner and Annette Hughes and Lawyer Julie-Anne Pearce report
- 25 November 2009
Client Update: Federal Government's CPRS offerPartner Grant Anderson looks at the changes proposed by the Federal Government to its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme and compares them with the demands made by the Federal Opposition.
- 25 November 2009
Audio: Climate change in Asia PacificWith two weeks to go before the beginning of the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, Allens Arthur Robinson has released an overview of climate change policies in the Asia Pacific region. Partner Grant Anderson speaks to Boardroom Radio about the possible outcomes of the conference and what the overview of climate change policy found
- 20 October 2009
Focus: National Registry of Emissions Units and Authority for the CDM and JI establishedThe Federal Government has fulfilled its Kyoto Protocol obligations by establishing the Australian National Registry of Emissions Units and the Australian National Authority for the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI). Australian individuals and organisations may now apply for registry accounts to hold and trade Kyoto units, as well as for approval to undertake CDM and JI projects. Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer Amy Ward report
- 21 August 2009
Focus: Expanded renewable energy target scheme legislation passedThe Senate has passed legislation to implement Australia's new expanded national renewable energy target scheme. Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer Ben Strate report
- 13 August 2009
Audio: Senate rejects CPRS BillAustralia's Senate today rejected the Federal Government's proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. Partner and climate change law specialist Grant Anderson speaks to Boardroom Radio about what the defeat of the emissions trading scheme means for business and discusses the implications of the defeat on renewable energy legislation, which the Government had proposed to link to the CPRS
- 06 August 2009
Client Update: Draft South East Queensland Climate Change PlanThe Draft South East Queensland Climate Change Management Plan, which proposes actions to implement the climate change policies in the new South East Queensland Regional Plan, was recently released for public comment. Partner Bill McCredie, and Senior Associates Suzanne Westgate and Simon Batten report
- 31 July 2009
Audio: Carbon offset projects on indigenous landThe National Indigenous Climate Change Project helps indigenous groups to negotiate with energy and resources companies to run carbon-offset projects on native land. Senior Associate Emily Gerrard speaks to Boardroom Radio about the work of the project
- 07 July 2009
Focus: Senate standing committees report on CPRS legislation and US greenhouse legislation passes HouseThe Senate Standing Committee on Economics and the Senate Select Committee on Climate Policy have handed down their reports on the Federal Government's legislation to implement its proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. These reports reflect the seemingly entrenched views of political players who will determine the fate of the legislation when it is voted on in August, and underscore the likelihood that the Senate will not pass the legislation in its current form - at least this time around. We also look at the greenhouse gas legislation that has recently been passed by the US House of Representatives
- 03 July 2009
Focus: Regulations released on emissions-intensive trade-exposed industry assistance programThe Department of Climate Change has released draft regulations for public comment that set out the details of the emissions-intensive trade-exposed assistance program that is to form part of the Federal Government's proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer John Henderson report
- 09 June 2009
Focus: Carbon capture and storage - environmental considerationsLast month, the Environment Protection and Heritage Council released the Environmental Guidelines for Carbon Dioxide Capture and Geological Storage - 2009. This followed the Federal Government's release of acreage and guidance notes for carbon capture and storage assessment under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (Cth) in March 2009. Partner Chris Schulz, Senior Associate Emily Gerrard and Lawyer Sarah Dynon explore the environmental and planning issues relevant to applications for assessment permits under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act
- 19 May 2009
Focus: CPRS legislation introduced into ParliamentThe Federal Government has introduced into Parliament legislation to implement its proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. The legislation as introduced has been modified in a number of respects from the exposure draft legislation that was released in March. Partner Grant Anderson reports.
- 12 May 2009
Client Update: COAG agrees changes to Renewable Energy Target schemePartner Grant Anderson and Lawyer Ben Strate report on changes to the design of the expanded national Renewable Energy Target scheme that were agreed by COAG on 30 April 2009
- 04 May 2009
Focus: Senate committee reports on draft CPRS legislationRecently, the Senate Standing Committee on Economics handed down its report on the draft legislation to implement the Federal Government's proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. While the Federal Government requires the support of either the Opposition or the Greens and the two independent senators for the legislation to pass, the positions of the non-Government parties (as outlined in the report) make it clear that there is some way to go before the Government is likely to achieve the necessary support. Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer John Henderson report.
- 08 April 2009
Focus: Federal Government releases acreage for carbon capture and storage assessmentThe Federal Government has announced the world-first release of offshore areas for assessment as potential carbon injection and storage sites under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (Cth). Partner Anna Collyer reports on this significant development on one of the foundation elements of the Government's emissions reduction strategy
- 01 April 2009
Focus: National greenhouse and energy reporting amendmentsRecently, amendment regulations have come into force that streamline the registration process for companies that are required to register and report under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme and that support the operation of amendments that have been made to the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act. Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer Nick Buttner report
- 17 March 2009
Focus: NSW Government releases policy statement on rising sea levelsThe New South Wales Government has released its Draft Sea Level Rise Policy Statement for public comment. The policy outlines the government's response to rising sea levels and the associated effects of climate change. Partner Jim Parker and Lawyer Fleur Ramsay report on the policy and consider potential implications for coastal planning, development and land ownership in NSW
- 11 March 2009
Client Update: Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme exposure draft legislationYesterday afternoon the Federal Government released exposure draft legislation for its proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS). While the draft legislation is extensive and submissions on it are due by 14 April, it closely mirrors the proposals put forward by the Government in its White Paper, Australia's Low Pollution Future, released on 15 December last year. These proposals are summarised in the nine-article series on the White Paper that is available in the Climate Change publications area of our website. Partner Grant Anderson reports
- 02 March 2009
Focus: Queensland greenhouse gas storage legislationStand-alone carbon storage legislation commenced in Queensland last week. This follows the earlier leads of Victorian and federal (offshore) legislation and, at some 450 pages, provides a detailed regime for storage of greenhouse gases within Queensland territorial borders. Partner Ben Zillmann and Senior Associate Rochelle Carey report on some of the key features of the legislation
- 26 February 2009
Focus: Detailed analysis of White Paper - forestry, agriculture, offsets and energy efficiencyFollowing on from our summary of the Federal Government's White Paper on its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, Australia's Low Pollution Future, Partner Jim Parker and Senior Associate Robyn Glindemann discuss in greater detail the White Paper's proposals on the treatment of forestry, agriculture, offsets and energy efficiency initiatives under the Scheme. This is the ninth and final in a series of articles that examines in more depth the principal proposals contained in the White Paper
- 20 February 2009
Focus: Tax consequences of the Carbon Pollution Reduction SchemeFollowing on from our summary of the Federal Government's White Paper on its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, Australia's Low Pollution Future, Partner Grant Cathro and Lawyer Penny Alexander discuss in detail the tax consequences of the proposed Scheme. This is the eighth in a series of articles that examines in more depth the principal proposals contained in the White Paper
- 12 February 2009
Focus: Detailed analysis of White Paper - carbon pass throughFollowing on from our summary of the Federal Government's White Paper on its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, Australia's Low Pollution Future, Partner Grant Anderson discusses in greater detail the implications of the White Paper proposals for the contractual provisions that should be included in supply contracts, outsourcing contracts and joint venture agreements. This is the seventh in a series of articles that examines in more depth the principal proposals contained in the White Paper
- 09 February 2009
Focus: Federal Government releases draft National Carbon Offset StandardLate last year, the Federal Government released a National Carbon Offset Standard Discussion Paper, together with a draft National Carbon Offset Standard. Partner Grant Anderson and Senior Associate Sarah Birrell describe the principal elements of the proposed standard, which has significant implications for the voluntary carbon market in Australia.
- 06 February 2009
Focus: Detailed analysis of White Paper: carbon capture and storageFollowing on from our summary of the Federal Government's White Paper on its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, Australia's Low Pollution Future, Partner Anna Collyer and Lawyer Damien Hughes discuss in greater detail the treatment of carbon capture and storage under the Scheme. This is the sixth in a series of articles that examines in more depth the principal proposals contained in the White Paper
- 30 January 2009
Focus: Detailed analysis of White Paper: emissions reduction targets and the use of international unitsFollowing on from our summary of the Federal Government's White Paper on its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, Australia's Low Pollution Future, Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer John Henderson discuss in greater detail the emissions reduction targets and the use of international units proposed for the Scheme, and give some international context to these proposals. This is the fifth in a series of articles that examines in more depth the principal proposals contained in the White Paper
- 23 January 2009
Focus: Detailed analysis of White Paper: carbon tradingFollowing on from our summary of the Federal Government's White Paper on its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, Australia's Low Pollution Future, Partner John Greig and Lawyers Emma Leske and Tim Dalton discuss in greater detail the White Paper proposals that are designed to facilitate the development of an efficient carbon market. This is the fourth in a series of articles that examines in more depth the principal proposals contained in the White Paper
- 15 January 2009
Focus: Detailed analysis of White Paper: electricity industryFollowing on from our summary of the Federal Government's White Paper on its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, Australia's Low Pollution Future, Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer John Henderson discuss in greater detail the assistance that is to be provided to coal-fired electricity generators and the impact of the Scheme on the electricity industry. This is the third in a series of articles that examines in more depth the principal proposals contained in the White Paper
- 09 January 2009
Focus: Detailed analysis of White Paper: liability under the Carbon Pollution Reduction SchemeFollowing on from our summary of the Federal Government's White Paper on its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, Australia's Low Pollution Future, Partner Grant Anderson discusses in greater detail the activities that will attract liability and the entities that will be liable under that scheme. This is the second in a series of articles that examines in more depth the principal proposals contained in the White Paper
- 24 December 2008
Focus: Climate ChangeThe Federal Department of Climate Change recently released an exposure draft of legislation and regulations for the Federal Government's proposed expanded national renewable energy target scheme. Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer John Henderson look at the draft legislation and some associated proposals
- 23 December 2008
Focus: Detailed analysis of White Paper: emissions-intensive trade-exposed industriesFollowing on from our summary of the Federal Government's White Paper on its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme 'Australia's Low Pollution Future' , Partner Grant Anderson discusses in greater detail the assistance that is to be provided to emissions-intensive trade-exposed industries. This is the first in a series of articles that examines in more depth the principal proposals contained in the White Paper
- 15 December 2008
Client Update: White Paper on Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme releasedAt midday, the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, released the much-anticipated White Paper that outlines the Federal Government's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme and the medium-term target for reducing national emissions
- 20 November 2008
Focus: Climate ChangeThe long-awaited enabling legislation for carbon capture and storage in Commonwealth offshore waters has been passed by the Federal Parliament. Partner Anna Collyer and Lawyer Damien Hughes look at the important last-minute Senate amendments to the legislation
- 07 November 2008
Focus: Climate ChangeThe Victorian Parliament has passed legislation to facilitate and regulate carbon capture and storage activities in onshore Victoria. The passage of the legislation is in advance of the Federal Government's 'offshore' carbon capture and storage Bill, which is currently before the Senate. Partner Anna Collyer, Senior Associate Peter O'Sullivan and Lawyer Damien Hughes report
- 05 November 2008
Client Update: Climate ChangeChina's State Council Information Office recently released its White Paper on climate change. Partner Campbell Davidson and Lawyer Mark Harding report on this major policy statement from the Chinese Government
