Browsing: Carbon law, policy/NGER

Opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull today criticised Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for downplaying LNG industry concerns and said former PM John Howard's task group got it right on how to treat large emitters. Meanwhile, Rudd has discussed emissions trading with New Zealand's new PM, John Key.

• What's still on Rudd's 2008 climate 'to do' list
  
• WA studies trading impact on LNG industry
  
• Norske Skog set to embark on River Murray salinity offset project
  
• Obama's environment transition team bunkers down

• Change trading rules to encourage oil mallee industry, says WA plan
  
• Policy brief warns of 'eye-opening' forecasts on malaria, dengue
  
• EPA Victoria issues draft industrial water re-use guidelines
  
• Voluntary Carbon Standard launches rules for land use projects

Climate policymakers spend a great deal of time on energy systems, with 'too little focus' on terrestrial carbon, Reserve Bank board member – and Terrestrial Carbon Group member – Warwick McKibbin told a Lowy Institute forum yesterday, while group convenor Ralph Ashton said 'about 25% of the solution' to climate change can come from land use measures. (plus audio)

• Modelling has been misrepresented, says Climate Institute
  
• Energy network businesses call for embedded generators to pay full costs
  
• Garrett opens e-waste plant in Sydney, plans for more on hold
  
• NZ splits climate among two ministers – transport fuels tax a prospect?

The Australian Industry Greenhouse Network has today launched a salvo at electricity sector modelling commissioned by the Climate Institute, releasing a new economy-wide analysis that concludes a 'soft start' will be far less economically damaging than 'early action'.

The amount of energy used to produce packaging from recycled materials is so far below the amount used to produce from virgin materials that giving free permits to industries such as aluminium and steel production won't significantly distort the market, says a new Allen Consulting Group study.

• Australia well placed for 'Gen 2' biofuels, report concludes
  
• Energy efficiencies scheme reviews generators exemption
  
• Annual report reveals abatement cost of Australia's greenhouse gas programs
  
• Large rise in reports of possible EPBC Act breaches
  
• Victoria to Wong – act now and give generators generous, conditional assistance
  
• Study centre issues report on China and energy

New Zealand's incoming prime minister John Key has agreed to immediately put the nation's trading scheme on hold, pending a review of emissions trading 'and any amendments or alternatives'. The move is part of a deal struck by Key yesterday in exchange for the support of a minority party opposed to trading and sceptical of climate change.

• Woodside's offshore processing claim – carbon leakage or pre-existing economics?
  
• IEA warns of 6°C rise
  
• SA Parliament passes bag ban bill, EPHC issues bag trial report
  
• Ministers release wind farm report
  
• AIGN issues climate briefs
  
• Recyclers welcome NSW waste levy boost