Environment law and policy tracker
Tuesday, 27 October 2015 12:54pm
A Footprint weekly snapshot for ISO 14001 system managers and environmental and carbon professionals.
Upcoming events:
- Australian Climate Leadership Summit 2015
A November 5 conference in Sydney, featuring Andrew Vesey (AGL), Miles George (Infigen Energy), Keith Tuffley (The B Team), Anna Skarbek (ClimateWorks) and Matthew Bell (EY).
- Infrastructure training for professionals
A November 9 to 10 seminar in Brisbane hosted by the Infrastructure Council of Australia. Also on offer in Perth (November 24 and 25).
- Your Corporate Social Responsibility within the Supply Chain
A November 10 to 11 conference in Melbourne, hosted by the Australian Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility.
- 2015 NELA national conference: Planning, climate and environmental law - where to from here?
A November 13 conference in Sydney, with speakers including Professor Michael Gerrard, Director, Sabin Centre for Climate Change Law, Columbia Law School.
- CEO forum and Banksia awards
A November 13 forum in Sydney, featuring WBCSD president Peter Bakker and GRIe chief executive Michael Meehan, followed by presentation of the 2015 Banksia sustainability awards. Organised by Sustainable Business Australia and the Banksia Foundation.
- National air pollution summit
A November 14 conference organised by Environmental Justice Australia.
- National energy efficiency conference 2015
A November 17 and 18 conference in Melbourne, hosted by the Energy Efficiency Council.
- Stakeholder engagement masterclass
A November 19 seminar in Brisbane, hosted by the Australian Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility.
For other events, including a conference in Perth on sustainable water management, see the extensive Footprint what's on listings.
International developments
- The UN climate secretariat has released a draft text of an agreement ahead of international talks that begin in Paris late next month.
"The challenge for governments is to bring it down to a much more concise and coherent form for adoption in Paris," said UN climate chief Christiana Figueres.
- As the Turnbull Government signals its interest in public transport, the international Climate Bonds Initiative has released a proposed low carbon transport standard that would be used to verify projects as eligible for support through green bonds.
- US-based investment house Boston Common Asset has released a report titled 'Are banks ready for climate change?' that examines 61 of the world's largest banks on their management of climate-related risks.
- The influential Carbon Tracker Initiative has released a new report arguing that energy industry forecasts of demand for fossil fuels are likely to prove overly optimistic.
- The International Carbon Action Partnership has released a discussion paper on options and issues for restricted linking of emissions trading schemes.
Corporate news
- CDP, which monitors corporate environmental performance on behalf of institutional investors, has released a new report on corporate efforts to manage water use and risk.
- The Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia has announced its 2015 award winners. Sydney Metro Northwest Tunnel won the project or asset award, with Aurecon Australia picking up the organisational leadership award.
- Construction of a $140 million combined wind and solar energy park in north Queensland will begin within 12 months, following agreement between Windlab and Japanese company Eurus Energy Holdings Corporation. The project will be the first large scale hybrid solar/wind plant constructed in Australia.
- The Australian Conservation Foundation has released a discussion paper on the case for a coal transition plan that is derived from an energy forum convened by the ACF that brought together representatives of energy companies, super funds, banks and investors.
- The Climate Council has released a new report on battery storage, including its potential to spur uptake of electric cars.
National:
- The Department of Environment has released new advisory material on aggregated projects seeking to participate in the Emissions Reduction Fund.
- Transcript of last week's Senate Estimates hearings involving officials of federal environment and climate change agencies is available here and here.
- The COAG Energy Council has released a report on governance arrangements in Australian energy markets.
- Safe Work Australia has released guidance on managing the risks of diesel exhaust in the workplace.
- The Department of Environment has issued a draft recovery plan for the Numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus).
NSW:
- State Parliament has passed the Protection of the Environment Operations Amendment (Enforcement of Gas and Other Petroleum Legislation) Bill 2015.
The bill confers on the EPA responsibility for investigating and prosecuting offences involving petroleum exploration and production, including breaches of authorities issued under the Petroleum (Onshore) Act 1991, development consents and approvals issued under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and licences and approvals issued under the Water Management Act 2000 and Water Act 1912.
The bill, which is part of a suite of new legislation on gas and other petroleum production, does not empower the EPA to grant or cancel authorities issued under these acts. However, it can provide relevant information to the administering agencies.
- State Parliament has passed the Electricity Supply Amendment (Energy Savings Scheme) Bill 2015, which strengthens and expands the scheme.
- The Office of Environment and Heritage has invited tenders to build and test a model for a Biodiversity Conservation Fund calculator to convert an offset obligation into a monetary contribution to the state's Biodiversity Conservation Fund.
- Planning Minister Rob Stokes has introduced a bill to establish a Greater Sydney Commission that would lead metropolitan planning in the region and integrate social,economic and environmental considerations.
- The Department of Planning has finalised four integrated mining policy guidelines on mine applications, web-based reporting, independent audits and water regulation.
- The Planning and Assessment Commission, which in March proposed approval of Rio Tinto's controversial Warkworth mine expansion, has again recommended approval in its second review.
(See source the Footprint article 'Warkworth coal mine expansion back with decision-maker').
- Greens MLC Jan Barham has introduced a Climate Change Bill.
Victoria:
South Australia:
- The EPA has released a draft air quality policy that would update stack limits, introduce new odour controls and empower the EPA to declare airshed-specific goals.
(See the Footprint article 'SA to replace outdated air policy').
- The Essential Services Commission of South Australia has released submissions received on its proposed 2016 water determination, including ones from the EPA and Business SA.
- The ESC has also released a consultants report on a 2016 feed-in tariff rate, which will be announced in December.
Western Australia:
Northern Territory
- A mining company that removed the managing director who oversaw illegal drilling has had its fine halved by the Northern Territory Supreme Court.
Chief Justice Trevor Riley described the $300,000 penalty imposed on Krucible Metals Ltd, now known as TopTung Ltd, as "manifestly excessive" and reduced it to $150,000.
(See the Footprint article 'Supreme Court halves fine for blatant mining breach').
Jobs and appointments:
