How Australia shares the burden of reducing greenhouse gas emissions will be critical to the success or failure of its policy response, Professor Ross Garnaut has told a review forum in Perth.
The forum focussed on emissions from transport and buildings. Could using permit revenue to boost public transport help reduce vehicle emissions and ensure the poor aren’t hit hardest by policy changes? And should Australia have a energy efficiency trading scheme, as well as an emissions trading scheme, to recognise the value of making buildings more energy efficient?
"The introduction of emissions trading will constitute the most significant economic and structural reform undertaken in Australia since the trade liberalisation of the 1980s," Climate Change Minister Penny Wong this afternoon told the Australian Industry Group.
Senator Wong outlined five design principles for emissions trading, said details of a medium-term trajectory would be announced by year's end, and specified timetables for drafting legislation to introduce emissions trading and overhaul Australia's renewable energy target scheme. (with audio)
A landmark agreement announced today between the federal and Western Australian governments for the state's resource-rich and biodiverse Kimberley region aims to steer resource companies at an early stage towards locations that best protect environment and heritage.
A confidential NSW government paper obtained by CE Daily sets out the state's thinking on folding key aspects of its state trading scheme into a national trading regime.
Meanwhile, a separate NSW policy process is grappling with treatment of energy efficiency activities accredited to create certificates under the state scheme – and possibilities include a push for a national energy efficiency trading regime.
Some companies not obliged to report greenhouse gas emissions under federal legislation passed last year could still face mandatory reporting, warns a Rudd government policy paper released today.
On the other hand, companies will get some breathing space not to report emissions from facilities they control that contribute only an insignificant part of their total emissions.
The paper also finalises the government's position on facility-level reporting, flags an amendment to the Act and sets out exactly what will be disclosed to the public.
EPA Victoria trading scheme to start by mid-year (with audio) * NPI releases new fuel tank emissions handbook, Queensland releases stormwater best practice guide * Defence seeks site remediation companies * Petrol vapour project awarded $480,000 federal grant * 'Don't focus on the green consumer' (audio link)
Only 2% of large businesses confident of their emissions data * ACF says company cars set to guzzle $2 billion a year in tax revenue, urges federal 'green' Budget * Woolies and grocery association contemplate carbon labelling * Allens findings on Gunns mill 'not credible', say researchers *
Regulator praises Sydney Water's conservation efforts * Major economies meeting to air concerns on 50% target, as Bush flags US$2 billion clean technology fund * U.S. watchdog agency urged to look at carbon offset claims *
Five Australian companies feature in global 'top 100' sustainability listing * TV sector warned of 'strong political will' to act on energy efficiency * ACTU chief to speak at Davos sustainability forum * Tasmania to draft contamination audit regulations * Environment chiefs to Garnaut – don't give us the third degree
* Australian Industry Group urges fund for water projects * SA Cabinet looks to Greenhouse Friendly scheme in carbon neutral push * ANU professor sets out health challenges of environmental degradation * Victoria seeks advisory council nominees * Ecolabel scheme proposes new draft standard
