Browsing: Carbon law, policy/NGER

BP chief Gerry Hueston today criticised those both sides of the 'fault line' in debate over the treatment of emissions-intensive industries, while ACTU chief Sharan Burrow said Australia lagged other nations in pushing to create green jobs.

• Pipe gas to cut emissions or WA the 'biggest loser', says Premier
  
• Environment court fines developer $40,000
  
• Garnaut issues technical papers
  
• International Energy Agency sounds alarm on CCS

The Department of Climate Change has released a discussion paper on external audit requirements to support the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting scheme and emissions trading.

Three lessons can be drawn from the "cyclone" going through world financial markets, former Victorian environment minister John Thwaites told the launch of a Melbourne carbon market services guide. Thwaites said the latest science indicates there is greater than a 50% chance of more than two degrees warming even if there is no further increase in atmospheric CO₂.

Rio Tinto will receive free permits worth more than $400 million in 2010, says a league table prepared by Innovest identifying companies that would receive the most free permits under green paper rules.

As his secretariat pulls down the shutters, Garnaut warns the financial crisis will provide little, if any, extra breathing space resulting from reduced global emission levels.

The global financial crisis must not be used as 'an excuse to give up' and developing countries that are major emitters must be prepared to make binding commitments, Climate Change Minister Penny Wong last night told the London School of Economics.

An ASX briefing in Sydney this morning will outline the exchange's plans to introduce futures and options contracts for renewable energy certificates and carbon pollution permits.

• Ferguson looks to amend offshore storage bill
  
• Government rejects call to delay trading scheme
  
• Greens urge Rudd to 'green up' $10.4 billion dollar rescue package
  
• Energy agency finds no sign yet of carbon leakage for EU aluminium

Australia's trading scheme legislation should include a 'pause button' that can be activated in 2015 if global climate talks fail to make sufficient progress, according to the truncated public version of Rio Tinto's green paper submission.