A meeting today of state and local governments has demanded a say in changes to federal climate policy and has committed to closer cooperation on strengthening building efficiency standards.
South Australia's new climate strategy shows that states can lead the way in cutting emissions, and it's a "massive change" in business attitudes that helped make it possible, SA Environment Minister Ian Hunter has told Footprint.
In a move that could result in new major projects having to offset their greenhouse gases, the South Australian Government has announced it will aim for zero net emissions by 2050.
State governments are again active on climate change and this time around they are doing things differently, says ClimateWorks Australia chief executive Anna Skarbek.
Victoria, Queensland and South Australia today confirmed they will work jointly to cut emissions, and revealed they have discussed the prospect of a multi-state trading scheme.
Labor states and territories have agreed to work together in a 'non-partisan effort' to decarbonise the economy, according to ACT Environment Minister Simon Corbell.
In a year of huge regulatory change for environmental managers, the Federal Government has started the process of handing core environmental responsibilities to states and abolishing carbon charges for large emitters, while all governments began targeting 'green tape'.