The McGowan Government has committed to enshrining WA's net-zero 2050 target in law - along with a pledge to reduce government sector emissions by 80% by 2030.
Two facilities with Safeguard baselines far above their actual emissions are undergoing state assessment processes that could more tightly cap what they emit, irrespective of Safeguard changes.
A new Western Australian government climate policy says the federal government must impose constraints on big emitters if the state's emissions are to fall.
Western Australia's imminent new climate policy will leave other states bearing a multi-billion dollar abatement burden, if it allows emissions in the state to increase, according to the WA Conservation Council.
Big emitters will be expected to provide more information on their carbon offset strategies, as well as their scope 3 emissions, under new WA EPA guidance released today.
Not everything has been thrown into turmoil by Covid. Next week's ERF auction will go ahead, and three jurisdictions will make major climate policy announcements within weeks.