Carbon Alert - June 2009
Information on this page
- Climate Change Policy and Legislation
- Federal Budget 2009-10
- Carbon Management and Accounting
- International Climate Change News
- Energy, Technology and Renewables
Climate Change Policy and Legislation
Victorian Climate Change Green Paper. Released by the Victorian Government, the paper outlines the risks facing the state, the likely impacts of the CPRS and proposes ways Victoria can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to climate change and become a leading low carbon economy. There is a four month public consultation period (ending September 30) which will lead to the development of a White Paper. (June 2009)
New Measures for the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. A joint media release from Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Treasurer Wayne Swan and Climate Change Minister Penny Wong, announcing a revised version of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS), which includes a delay in commencement date, an update to the carbon pollution reduction target, new measures to assist businesses and the establishment of an Australian Carbon Trust. (May 2009)
Factsheets. The Department of Climate Change has made available a number of fact sheets relating to the changes to the CPRS. (May 2009)
Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Bill 2009 Second Reading Speech. Made available by Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change, Greg Combet.
Summary. Key Changes to the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Legislation. Key differences between the final CPRS bills and the exposure drafts were released by the Department of Climate Change. (May 2009
Research Note: The Impact of Industry Assistance Measures under the CPRS -Scheme Deferral Update. An analysis done for the Australian Conservation Foundation that compares the green paper, white paper and the latest version of obligations imposed under the CPRS on six sectors – aluminium smelting, cement, steel, alumina refining, LNG and petroleum refining. (May 2009)
The CPRS: Economic Cost without Environmental Benefit. The Senate Select Committee on Fuel and Energy has released its interim report, recommending that the Rudd Government not proceed with the CPRS as currently designed. (May 2009)
Economic Assessment of CPRS' Treatment of Coal Mining. EITE Activity Policy and the Coal Mining Sector. The coal industry has completed a study concluding the Government's proposed $750 million CPRS handout to the sector was vastly inadequate and would see 16 mines close early. (May 2009)
The Employment Effects in the Australian Mineral Industry from the Proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. A study, commissioned by the Minerals Council, on the effects of the CPRS on jobs in the mining and minerals processing sector.
Trade & Assistance Review 2007-08. The Productivity Commission has released its latest annual analysis of industry assistance, concluding that various Federal and state carbon-related industry assistance measures would provide $23.7 billion over 2007-08 to 2011-2012. (April 2009)
Strategic Review of Australian Government Climate Change Programs (Wilkins Review). The final report assessing whether existing climate change programs are efficient, effective, appropriate and complementary to the proposed CPRS has been released. (May 2009)
Government Response to Recommendations of the Strategic Review of Australian Government Climate Change Programs. The Federal Government has released its response to the Wilkins Review. (May 2009)
Compliance and Enforcement Policy. National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007. The Department of Climate Change has issued an enforcement and compliance policy setting out how it will deal with breaches of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act.
Federal Budget 2009-10
Budget Speech 2009 – 2010. The federal government has made available the budget speech delivered by Treasurer Wayne Swan in which announcements regarding investments in Clean Energy are made. (May 2009)
The Climate Change Budget Overview 2009-10. Provides a summary of the Government's climate change strategy, describing the objectives of each measure and the providing the name of the agencies who will implement them. (May 2009)
Carbon Management and Accounting
Carbon Neutrality Discussion Paper. A paper by Kinesis exploring the drivers for carbon neutrality and how they are affected by the changing policy context. (May 2009)
EPA Cap and Trade Scheme Guidelines. EPA has set an organisational emissions reduction target of 10% from 2005-06 levels by 2010. The scheme began on 1 January 2009. (May 2009).
Re-tooling for Climate Change. Innovation Minister Kim Carr has announced the 23 successful projects from round one and two of the federal government's Re-tooling for Climate Change program. The program will help small and medium sized Australian manufacturers reduce their environmental footprint through projects that improve the energy and/or water efficiency of their production processes. Mr Carr also announced that the eligibility criteria has been broadened to include manufacturers with an entity turnover of less than $100 million. Rounds three, four, five and six close on 1 June 2009, 24 August 2009, 30 November 2009 and 22 March 2010 respectively. (May 2009)
Victoria's Greenhouse Opportunity Set. New Growth Prospects in a Carbon-Constrained World. A report commissioned by the Victorian Government suggests that activities that tackle climate change impacts could generate up to $25 billion worth of commercial opportunities within Victoria.
Climate Change Strategy 2009-2014. The Gold Coast City Council has released a strategy to provide a comprehensive approach to climate change on the Gold Coast, including both mitigation and adaptation. (May 2009)
International Climate Change News
China and Australia: Shared Interests in Finding a Solution to Climate Change. Climate Change Minister Penny Wong has delivered an address to the Australia-China Climate Change Forum highlighting the impact of climate change on China and Australia and the need for bilateral cooperation and a global solution. (April 2009)
Energy and Commerce Committee Passes Comprehensive Clean Energy Legislation. The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce approved a bill to introduce a cap-and-trade emissions trading scheme and renewable energy and energy efficiency targets.
Remarks by the President on National Fuel Efficiency Standards. The United States has introduced mandatory fuel consumption standards for new cars. (May 2009)
International Energy Outlook 2009. The U.S. Energy Information Administration's latest annual report states Australia's per capita energy-related CO2 emissions are currently the third highest in the OECD – behind the U.S. and Canada. (May 2009)
Commission on Climate Change and Development. An international commission appointed to advise political leaders on climate change (established by the Swedish Government), the Commission on Climate Change and Development is investigating climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
Closing the Gaps. Disaster Risk Reduction and Adaptation to Climate Change in Developing Countries. A report by The Commission on Climate Change and Development making recommendations on strengthening resilience in vulnerable communities and countries, establishing institutional and financial architecture for adaptation and mobilising financial resources. (May 2009)
The Copenhagen Call. Presented by Australian scientist and chair of the Copenhagen Climate Council, Tim Flannery, to UN chief Yvo de Boer, at the conclusion of a global Business Summit on Climate Change.
Energy, Technology and Renewables
Council of Australian Governments. National Strategy on Energy Efficiency, The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has released a communiqué and a number of related documents outlining the outcomes of its 26th meeting held on 30 April 2009 in Hobart, reaffirming its commitment to introducing a comprehensive National Strategy for Energy Efficiency (April 2009)
Communiqué
National Strategy on Energy Efficiency 2009–2020 Memorandum of Understanding.
National Strategy on Energy Efficiency
Renewable Energy Target Scheme Design
Clean Energy Jobs and Investments in Regional Australia. The analysis of regional jobs from renewables projects found that about 26,200 new jobs would be created if all planned and committed clean energy projects go ahead. (May 2009)
Review of Energy Market Frameworks in Light of Climate Change Policies. The Australian Energy Market Commission has issued a discussion paper on the ramifications of climate policy for energy markets, updating findings set out in January's first interim report. (May 2009)
Renewables Global Status Report. 2009 Update. Since 2004, annual renewable energy investment has increased fourfold to reach US$120 billion in 2008, according to an International Energy Agency report.
