Emissions from a spike in land clearing rates, especially in Queensland, will needlessly cost the economy well over $1 billion between now and 2030, a new report by CO2 Australia shows.
The WA EPA is seeking to address its concerns about increased land clearing in the Pilbara by proposing a new regional offset fund as an alternative to requiring miners and others to buy equivalent land for conservation purposes.
A tribunal has rejected an attempt by a CO2 Australia subsidiary to overturn a council's refusal of planning approval for a carbon sink forest plantation.
Encouraged by a federal environment department EPBC Act recommendation that a 100% abatement obligation be imposed on a Shell offshore LNG processing facility, the WA Conservation Council will ask Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke to impose tough carbon conditions on major WA LNG, coal and chemical projects.