The first in a regular new CE Daily series that details what to look out for over the next few weeks, including regulatory changes, new grant schemes and federal and state policy proposals open for comment.
Federal changes mean companies will find it easier to buy and use Australian carbon credits, a NSW review is likely to result in tougher environmental incident notification rules and a Western Australian appeal decision confirms that backers of major projects will face carbon offset obligations.
Mining company Xstrata's main argument to justify a major Queensland coal mine - that 'if we don't sell the coal, someone else will' - employs the same reasoning drug dealers use to justify their actions, Australian Conservation Foundation president Professor Ian Lowe told a court hearing today.