South Australia's EPA will use its environmental licensing powers to ensure businesses properly consider climate risks, says the state government's new five-year climate action plan.
The federal government will tip an extra $1.8 billion into climate action over 10 years, with a stronger emphasis on hard-to-abate sectors, hydrogen, transport, energy productivity, soil carbon and CCS.
The NSW government's plan to put the state on track to net-zero emissions will encourage good performers and expose bad ones, while leveraging government procurement and assets to an unprecedented extent.
Energy ministers have agreed that new electric appliances including air-conditioners must be capable of external power down, after modelling showed the net benefits could be as high as $2.8 billion out to 2036.
The Victorian local government association and 48 councils with a combined annual demand of up to 250GWh are seeking ACCC approval to collectively negotiate to buy electricity and renewable energy certificates.