Australia may soon introduce federal climate change legislation that will see Australia set a 2050 net zero greenhouse gas emissions target.
Unlike many countries including the UK, Germany, France, New Zealand, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland, Australia doesn't currently have a legislated national framework for mitigating climate change or adapting to its effects.
Independent MP Zali Steggall (federal member for Warringah) will soon call upon the Australian Federal Parliament to hold a conscience vote to ratify the Australian Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) Bill 2020. The conscience vote, originally scheduled to occur Monday 23/3/20, has been postponed until further notice due to COVID-19.
A website and petition have been made publicly available at www.climateactnow.com.au to provide more information and garner support for the Bill’s introduction.
The intent and functions of the Bill are consistent with our values and position on climate change at CEEB, SENG and Engineers Australia. For this reason, I encourage you to consider going to www.climateactnow.com.au and signing the online petition to support introduction of the Bill. As at 23/3/20 there were 77,400 petition signatories across Australia. I think it would also be a good idea to include this call to action in our newsletters (Michelle - could you please assist with this?) and broadcast it to the wider Engineers Australia community via Bronwyn Evans.
Here are hyperlinks to more information about the Bill:
Petition website www.climateactnow.com.au
Bill overview (2 pages)
Full bill (53 pages)
For those seeking more detailed information, here are some summary tables produced by Ben Hanley from the Environmental College Board:
Key takeaways:
| Item | Detail |
| Conscience vote to ratify the Act TBC | Independent MP Zali Steggall (federal member for Warringah) to call upon the Australian Federal Parliament to hold a conscience vote to ratify the Act (new conscience vote date TBC). |
| Australia net zero emissions by 2050 | The Act sets for Australia a target of zero net accounting greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 (and provides a mechanism to adjust this date). |
| 5-year emissions budgets without carry over credits | In consultation with the CCC, the Australian Federal Ministry of Environment and Energy will set national emissions budgets every 5 years that cap Australia's permissible net accounting emissions during each 5-year period (credits from earlier emissions budgets cannot be rolled over into subsequent emissions budgets). |
| Seven guiding principles climate change decisions | The Act outlines 7 guiding principles to which decision-makers must abide when making decisions about climate change. |
| Independent climate change commission (CCC) | The Act establishes an independent Climate Change Commission (CCC) to advise parliament and prepare national risk assessments, progress reports, emissions budgets and emissions reduction plans. |
| Australian Federal Ministry of the Environment and Energy | The Act introduces additional responsibilities regarding climate change for the Australian Federal Ministry of the Environment and Energy with respect to climate change adaptation and mitigation. |
| Parliamentary Joint Committee on Climate Adaptation and Mitigation | The Act establishes the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Climate Adaptation and Mitigation comprising 11 representatives from the Senate and House of Representatives to manage the CCC. |
Implications for corporations operating in Australia:
| Proposed change | Implication for corporations | Mitigation |
| Australia net zero emissions by 2050 | Companies operating in Australia must achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 | Ensure that companies operating in Australia have each:
· committed to a formal emissions reduction plan to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050; and · established and maintain processes to regularly measure progress towards this target to ensure that the business is on track to achieve or beat this target. |
| 5-year emissions budgets without carry over credits and CCC emissions reduction plans | Companies operating in Australia will be required to limit net accounting greenhouse gas emissions in line with national emissions reduction budgets and emissions reductions plans adopted by government | Ensure that companies operating in Australia:
· have processes in place to maintain awareness of changes to the current national emissions budget and emissions reduction plan · have accounted for stepped reductions in 5-year national emissions budgets to achieve the net zero 2050 target · have not relied upon any carry over credits from previous 5-year national emissions budgets to achieve their emissions targets |
| CCC national climate risk assessments and parliamentary advice | The findings and recommendations of the CCC may lead to new regulatory or economic requirements in Australia relating to climate risk mitigation and adaptation (e.g. carbon tax, emissions trading scheme, carbon removals) | Ensure that companies operating in Australia have processes in place to maintain awareness of changes to the current national climate risk assessments and parliamentary statements with implications for businesses operating in Australia. |
| The CCC will be responsible for conducting reviews under
· Section 306 of the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011; and · Sections 76A and 76B of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007. |
CCC amendments to these Acts and their associated regulations or legislative instruments may alter the way in which companies utilise Australian carbon credit units (e.g. MIRA agriculture) and report their GHG emissions under the NGER Act (2007). | As above |
| The CCC or Australian Federal Ministry of the Environment may request from corporations operating in Australia information relating to climate change mitigation including governance, risk management processes and progress towards emissions reduction targets | The CCC or Australian Federal Ministry of the Environment may request information companies operating in Australia concerning climate change mitigation and adaptation, including company governance, risk management processes and progress towards emission reduction targets | Ensure that companies operating in Australia have information available regarding appropriate governance and risk management with respect to climate risk. |
Summary notes
Campaign and petition:
- Independent MP Zali Steggall (federal member for Warringah) to call upon the Australian Federal Parliament to hold a conscience vote upon the Australian Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) Bill 2020
- A website and petition has been made publicly available at www.climateactnow.com.au
- 77,400 petition signatories as at 25/3/20
- Flyers encouraging public support circulated around Sydney, including Martin Place
- The conscience vote, originally scheduled to occur Monday 23/3/20, has been postponed until further notice due to COVID-19 (new date TBC)
Proposed legislation:
- Outlines 7 guiding principles to which decision-makers must abide when making decisions about climate change in accordance with the Act:
- Effective, efficient and equitable action
- Informed decision making
- Risk-based, integrated decision making
- Fiscal responsibility
- Fair employment transition
- Community engagement and self-determination
- National and international cooperation
- Establishes an independent Climate Change Commission (CCC) to:
o Advise government and parliament on matters relating to climate change
o Issue a national climate change risk assessment updated every 5 years
o Issue annual progress reports evaluating implementation and effectiveness of the national adaptation plan
o Issue advice regarding national emissions budgets, emissions reduction targets and emissions reduction plans
o Monitor and report progress towards 2050 net-zero target
o Publish an annual report annual outlining annual GHG emissions, GHG emissions forecasts and efficacy of the national emissions reduction plan
o Request information from any corporation operating in Australia
- Introduces additional responsibilities for the Australian Federal Minister of the Environment including:
o Publish a national climate change adaptation plan in response to each CCC national climate change risk assessment
o Publish responses to each CCC climate change progress report
o In consultation with the CCC, set national emissions budgets every 5 years that cap Australia's permissible net accounting emissions during each 5-year period (credits from earlier emissions budgets cannot be rolled over into subsequent emissions budgets)
o In consultation with the CCC, publish a national emissions reduction plan updated every 5 years
- Establishes the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Climate Adaptation and Mitigation comprising 11 representatives from the Senate and House of Representatives to appoint CCC members, review CCC expenditure and address related matters