Our recent climate change experience includes:
National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme (NGERS) - Advising a large range of corporate clients in relation to their compliance with the NGERS including Rio Tinto, Eni Australia, Macquarie Capital Advisers, Newcrest Mining, International Power, Woodside Energy, Xstrata, LinkWater, Pilbara Iron, SunWater, QWI, Phillip Morris, Port of Brisbane, CB Richard Ellis and EnergyAustralia.
Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) - Advising corporate clients on the opportunities and risks arising out of the Federal Government's proposed CPRS including Rio Tinto, National Generators Forum, Energy Retailers of Australia Association, Energy Suppliers Association of Australia, Woodside Energy and Xstrata.
Carbon pass-through clauses - Advising clients in relation to carbon pass-through clauses including Woodside Energy, North West Shelf, International Power, Eni Australia, Esso Australia, AMCOR, Kraft and the Victorian Department of Transport.
Carbon products and compliance with the Trade Practices Act - Advising clients including Electrolux, Ozone Technologies and Bendigo and Adelaide Bank in relation to green marketing and compliance with the Trade Practices Act 1974.
Commonwealth carbon capture and storage legislation - Advising the Victorian Government on the Commonwealth carbon capture and storage legislation and in relation to proposed Victorian carbon capture and storage legislation.
Newlands mine greenhouse gas emissions - Represented Xstrata in this high profile litigation before the Queensland Land and Resources Tribunal. Greenhouse gas emissions from the mine and climate change were the central issues in this case.
Monash Energy Project - Advising generally on the proposed commercialisation of coal-to-gas-to-liquid technology to produce low-emission diesel fuel and electricity from brown coal. Our role has included advising on legal issues and proposed regulatory arrangements relating to carbon capture and storage (geosequestration) in offshore geological structures.
Isaac Plains Coal Mine - Acted for the Isaac Plains Coal Mine, successfully resisting an objection by a conservation group to a coal mine on the basis of greenhouse gas emissions. This groundbreaking case considered the scope of the Federal Environment Minister's decision-making authority.
ZeroGen Project - Advising the Queensland Government-owned electricity generator, Stanwell Corporation, on the 'ZeroGen Project' in central Queensland. The project involves a proposed demonstration plan to develop clean coal technology involving carbon capture and storage.
Carbon sequestration - Advising on the acquisition of forestry rights to offset carbon dioxide emissions and procuring greenhouse abatement certificates under the NSW Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme.
Gorgon Project - Advised on the project proposal for the development of the Greater Gorgon gas fields, gas processing and shipping facilities. The project included greenhouse gas management via carbon capture and storage into deep formations beneath Barrow Island.
Energy Technology Innovation Scheme (ETIS) - Advising the Victorian Government on the grant of funding under ETIS for the retrofitting of coal drying technology at International Power's Hazelwood power station.
China landfill gas projects - Advised on landfill gas projects in the People's Republic of China. Our roles included advising Brambles Industries on management of landfill sites, and management and conversion of the gas emissions to electricity.
NSW forestry rights - Advised Citibank and a number of superannuation funds on investment in forestry rights to accumulate carbon credits.
Victorian Renewable Energy Target Scheme (VRETS) - Advising the Victorian Essential Services Commission on the initial rules and guidelines for the implementation of the VRETS, a market-based scheme to maintain demand for investment in renewable energy in Victoria.
Greenhouse accounting - Provided complex advice to Melbourne Water Corporation on the interrelationship between different greenhouse and renewable energy schemes and the proposed national emissions trading scheme. This included possible approaches that can be taken to create optimum value from generating renewable energy which will not be considered 'double counting' under the Greenhouse Challenge Plus Program or the VRETS.
Wind farm projects - Our lawyers have extensive experience advising on wind farm projects in NSW, SA, VIC and WA. Acting for sponsors and financiers, our roles have involved advising on planning and development approvals, the environmental assessment process, land tenure issues, construction issues, joint venture arrangements and investment structuring and taxation issues.
Risk assessments - Advising clients on the legal risks arising from climate
change and the steps they can take to reduce such risks or mitigate their
consequences.
