The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet has begun consulting on future emissions reductions goals, but is yet to release details on who and how it will consult.
A new KPMG study says more than 50% of the potent greenhouse gases in unwanted refrigerators aren't collected, and nor is a significant portion of the gas in old air-conditioners.
Government, Labor and Greens senators want to reduce levels of coal particulate in the Great Barrier Reef region, specify new limits for nutrient and particle-runoff and impose a moratorium on dredge spoil disposal.
Dredging and other activities that affect the Great Barrier Reef would no longer require EPBC approval, but would instead only be assessed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, under new proposals.
Legislative changes in Queensland and recent Federal Government decisions have undermined efforts to protect the Great Barrier Reef, says a WWF report to the World Heritage Committee.
Environment Minister Greg Hunt has postponed next Thursday's meeting of environment ministers, which was scheduled to consider matters including a container deposit scheme.
Proponents of projects that could affect the Great Barrier Reef will face more stringent offset requirements and greater scrutiny of their cumulative impacts, according to a draft strategic assessment released today.
Australia's latest greenhouse gas accounts don't prove the carbon price is a 'pointless burden', as claimed by Environment Minister Greg Hunt, but they do show that the scheme's influence has so far been modest, says Pitt & Sherry's Hugh Saddler.