Allens

23 April 2013

Although there is bipartisan commitment to reducing Australia's greenhouse gas emissions to 95 per cent of their 2000 levels by 2020, the current Government and Opposition policies for achieving this are very different. The forthcoming Federal election, and the recent collapse in the price of European Union emissions trading scheme allowances, means that a review of the Opposition's Direct Action Policy is timely. Partner Grant Anderson reports.

14 December 2012

The Federal Government has made regulations to establish a liquid fuels opt-in scheme that will allow entities to opt their liquid fuel use into the carbon pricing scheme, rather than face indirect carbon liability through reduced fuel tax credits for their fuel acquisitions. Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer Albert Yu report.

12 December 2012

At the recently concluded UN Climate Change Conference in Doha, Australia signed up to a second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol and an agreement on a pathway for the adoption of a new global climate change treaty that is to come into effect in 2020. Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer Albert Yu report.

12 December 2012

The Climate Change Authority recently released its draft recommendations regarding Australian Renewable Energy Targets. The final report is due to be released before the end of 2012. Partner Michael Graves and Senior Associate Stephen Natoli discuss the report and its potential impact on wind generation in Australia

11 December 2012

The Climate Change Authority recently released its draft recommendations regarding Australian Renewable Energy Targets. The final report is due to be released before the end of 2012. Partner Anthony Arrow and Senior Associate Stephen Natoli discuss the report and the potential implications for future renewable energy projects

27 November 2012

The Federal Parliament has passed legislation to allow Australia's carbon pricing scheme to be linked with the European Union emissions trading scheme from 1 July 2015, and to make significant amendments relating to the treatment of natural gas, the fuel opt-in scheme and the auctioning of carbon units. Partner Grant Anderson and Law Graduate Albert Yu report.

21 November 2012

The Senate Select Committee on Electricity Prices has released its report, which lays out a series of recommendations, findings and comments in relation to rising electricity prices in Australia and the current electricity regulatory framework in the National Electricity Market. Partner Grant Anderson and Law Graduate Albert Yu report.

02 November 2012

The Australian Government has released its Australia in the Asian Century White Paper, its blueprint for Australia's greater integration throughout the region and roadmap to becoming a more prosperous and resilient nation. Partner Grant Anderson spoke to BRR Media about the prospects for a carbon market in the Asia region.

02 October 2012

The Federal Government has made regulations for the calculation of the 'top up' assistance, in the form of free carbon units, that is to be given in respect of LNG projects. Partner Grant Anderson reports.

25 September 2012

The NSW Government has released a draft renewable energy action plan, which, as it establishes the parameters for all new renewable energy investments in NSW up until 2020, has implications for all stakeholders in the NSW energy market. Partner Andrew Mansour and Senior Associate Joel Sturgeon report on the draft plan which intends to increase the use of energy generated from renewable sources in NSW by reducing investment barriers, building community support, attracting and growing renewable energy expertise, and improving energy efficiency.

05 September 2012

The future of wind farm development in Australia continues to be a topic of discussion. Partner Anna Collyer spoke to BRR Media about the hurdles facing wind farm projects.

29 August 2012

The Federal Government announced yesterday that the Australian and European Union emissions trading markets will be linked from 1 July 2015 and that, to facilitate this, the Government will abandon the carbon floor price and restrict the use of Kyoto emission reduction units under the Australian scheme. Partner Grant Anderson and Law Graduate Albert Yu report.

03 July 2012

Those involved in the manufacture, importation and use of LPG, LNG or CNG should be aware of recently passed amendments that now bring emissions associated with the combustion of these fuels for non-transport uses within the coverage of the carbon pricing scheme. Partner Grant Anderson and Law Graduate Albert Yu report.

19 June 2012

Three years after its appointment by the former government, the Coastal Climate Change Advisory Committee's report has been released by the Minister for Planning who simultaneously announced a relaxation of the requirements for the consideration of the impact of sea level rise on developments within existing coastal town boundaries. In the second of our series on reviews that will impact on Victoria's planning schemes, Special Counsel Meg Lee explains the effects of the proposed changes

10 May 2012

To help carbon market participants transition to the Australian financial services licensing regime, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission has established an early registration system, and has also released updated information on adviser training and financial requirements for those providing financial services in relation to carbon units and other kinds of regulated emissions units. Partner Grant Anderson and Senior Associate Justine Woodford report on these developments

12 April 2012

Recent amendments to the Corporations Regulations and guidance from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission establish the financial services licensing regime that will apply to carbon permits and derivatives over them from the commencement of the carbon pricing scheme. Partner Grant Anderson and Senior Associates Penelope Barclay and Simon Lewis report

12 December 2011

The latest round of climate change talks, held in South Africa, resulted in an agreement to extend the Kyoto Protocol and a roadmap to guide future negotiations towards a comprehensive treaty. Lawyer Fergus Green spoke to Boardroom Radio about what the outcome in Durban means for future climate change negotiations and the Australian carbon pricing scheme

11 November 2011

The Federal Parliament has passed legislation to establish an Australian carbon pricing scheme, which will operate initially like a carbon tax, with a fixed (but increasing) carbon permit price, and will then transition into a cap and trade scheme after three years. Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer Fergus Green report on this historic development

13 October 2011

Following the release of the policy package agreed by the Multi-Party Climate Change Committee, together with exposure draft legislation to implement that policy, the introduction of a package of 18 Bills into Parliament, and a report on that legislation by a joint parliamentary committee, the Federal Government's carbon pricing scheme legislation has been passed by the lower House of Parliament. Partner Grant Anderson reports

12 October 2011

The House of Representatives today passed key legislation to set up a carbon pricing scheme. Partner Grant Anderson spoke to Boardroom Radio about the next steps for the passage of the legislation and what businesses need to begin doing to meet the legislation's requirements

23 September 2011

The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency has released exposure draft regulations to establish the assistance program under which free carbon units issued pursuant to the carbon pricing scheme will be provided to emissions-intensive trade-exposed industries. Partner Grant Anderson reports

16 September 2011

Following the recent release of both its climate change policy, Securing a clean energy future: The Australian Government's climate change plan, and exposure draft legislation to implement its proposed carbon pricing scheme, the Federal Government has introduced its clean energy legislation package into the House of Representatives. Partner Grant Anderson reports on the principal differences between the exposure draft legislation and the legislation package as introduced into Parliament

25 August 2011

The Federal Parliament has passed legislation to implement the Government's previously announced Carbon Farming Initiative, under which landholders may establish land-based carbon abatement and sequestration projects that generate tradeable carbon credits. Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer Naomi Snyder report

03 August 2011

The Federal Government has released exposure draft legislation to establish its proposed carbon pricing scheme. Partner Grant Anderson identifies the entities that will be directly liable under the scheme and outlines some of the issues to be considered in structuring a corporate group's carbon liability

28 July 2011

The Federal Government has today released a suite of draft legislation designed to set up the proposed carbon price regime. Partner Grant Anderson spoke to Boardroom Radio about the legislative package and the next steps

25 July 2011

The Australian Government has released details of its proposed carbon pricing scheme, which will operate initially like a carbon tax with a fixed (but increasing) carbon permit price and will then transition into a cap and trade scheme after three years. This scheme is set to be implemented in legislation that is to be introduced into the Australian Parliament later this year. Partners Grant Anderson and David Wenger report

15 July 2011

As part of the Federal Government's announcement this week to introduce a carbon pricing scheme (commonly referred to as a 'carbon tax'), a new dedicated 20-person ACCC team will be formed to investigate false and misleading claims by businesses in relation to the impact of the tax on their prices. Partners Fiona Crosbie and David Brewster look at the competition risks for businesses

12 July 2011

The Federal Government has released details of its proposed carbon pricing scheme, which will operate initially like a carbon tax with a fixed (but increasing) carbon permit price and will then transition into a cap and trade scheme after three years. This scheme is the result of negotiations within the Multi-Party Climate Change Committee and is set to be implemented in legislation that is to be introduced into Parliament later this year. Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer Fergus Green report.

10 July 2011

The Federal Government has released the framework for its carbon tax scheme. Grant Anderson speaks to Boardroom Radio about the scheme and what businesses should be doing now to prepare for it

08 June 2011

The Federal Government's proposed carbon tax scheme will have GST implications for major emitters and businesses that receive government assistance. Partner Ross Stitt speaks to Boardroom Radio about the implications arising out of emissions permits and assistance for emissions-intensive trade-exposed industries

03 June 2011

The Federal Government's key climate change adviser, Professor Ross Garnaut, has released the Final Report of his updated advice on the design of a new carbon price scheme. It provides new and more detailed recommendations on governance and compensation arrangements for the scheme, but also raises difficult questions about how the scheme will switch from a rising fixed carbon price to a full cap-and-trade scheme. Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer Fergus Green report

11 May 2011

The Federal Government announced a range of changes to renewable energy programs in last night's Federal Budget. Partner Grant Anderson speaks to Boardroom Radio about these changes and how this will affect the renewables sector in Australia

06 May 2011

The Australian Energy Market Commission recently issued a Draft Rule and Draft Rule Determination on scale efficient network extensions. While the purpose of this was to facilitate more efficiently the connection of renewable and lower-emissions energy sources to the electricity grid, the adopted solution is considerably more conservative than the one the Ministerial Council on Energy originally proposed. Partner Anna Collyer and Lawyer Fergus Green report.

20 April 2011

The Federal Government's proposed carbon pricing scheme may commence as early as July 2012. Many significant aspects of the scheme, including the relevant tax mechanisms, are yet to be settled. Partner Martin Fry comments on some key tax implications for affected companies.

31 March 2011

The Federal Government's expert climate change adviser, Professor Ross Garnaut, has now released the last of his papers updating his 2008 climate change review. Partner Grant Anderson reports on the principal findings and recommendations of the update papers, which will be influential in the development of the Government's carbon pricing mechanism

01 March 2011

The Federal Government and the Greens have announced an agreement on high-level aspects of a new carbon price scheme. The scheme will operate in two phases - a fixed price phase (effectively a tax) and a floating price phase (emissions trading scheme) - and could commence as early as July 2012. Many significant aspects of the scheme, including the fixed price for permits in the first phase, the medium-term emissions reduction targets, the assistance package for industry, household compensation arrangements and the treatment of petrol have yet to be agreed. Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer Fergus Green report

01 March 2011

The Federal Government and the Greens have announced an agreement on high-level aspects of a new carbon price scheme. Partner Grant Anderson speaks to Boardroom Radio about what has - and has not - been included in the proposed scheme

16 December 2010

International climate change talks in Cancun concluded last Saturday, with a package of formal 'decisions' that will give some support to the case for an Australian carbon price. But progress on the central issue of global emissions cuts was notably limited. Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer Fergus Green report.

25 November 2010

The Federal Government has released a consultation paper on the design of a scheme for the recognition and accreditation of land-based greenhouse gas abatements. This scheme, known as the Carbon Farming Initiative, will enable landholders and others to create tradable carbon credits from projects that reduce or sequester greenhouse gases. Partner Grant Anderson reports on the proposals

23 November 2010

The Federal Government has released a consultation paper on the design of a scheme for the creation of tradeable land-based carbon credits. Partner Grant Anderson speaks to Boardroom Radio about how the scheme will work

24 September 2010

Legislation designed to improve the energy efficiency of large buildings is set to begin on 1 November 2010. Partner Chris Schulz speaks to Boardroom Radio about how the legislation will affect owners and tenants of large buildings

07 September 2010

Recent decisions by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal have grappled with the difficult scenario of whether to permit intensified development in coastal areas known to be at risk of future flooding from climate change. The results appear dependent upon the status of broader infrastructure adaptation and mitigation actions by councils. The role of water authorities has also come under scrutiny. Partner Chris Schulz and Senior Associate Meg Lee report.

30 July 2010

Victoria plans to reduce its carbon emissions by 20 per cent compared to 2000 levels by 2020, decreasing greenhouse emissions generated by brown coal power plants by up to four million tonnes by 2014. In the absence of a federal Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, the Brumby Government claims that the strategies in its Victorian Climate Change White Paper will make Victoria the national leader in addressing the challenges associated with climate change. Partner Grant Anderson, Senior Associate Charlie Harrison and Law Graduate Natasha McNamara report

28 July 2010

Last week, the Gillard Government announced its election promises, including its intention to introduce various measures designed to promote energy efficiency in business and industry. In part one of this Focus Partner Chris Schulz and Lawyer Nadia Harrison outline policy announcements on coal-fired power stations, light vehicles and tax deductions for expenditure on commercial buildings. In part two they provide an update on the progress of the recently enacted energy efficiency disclosure regime for commercial buildings

06 July 2010

The loss of momentum post-Copenhagen does not necessarily mean all carbon pollution reduction activity has stalled. Partner Anna Collyer and Law Graduate Natasha McNamara report on legislation that splits Australia's enhanced Renewable Energy Target scheme into separate large and small-scale schemes

13 May 2010

The Federal Government announced this week the formulation of a Renewable Energy Future Fund. Partner Anna Collyer speaks to Boardroom Radio about the possible impact of the fund on the renewable energy industry

04 May 2010

With last week's announcement by the Federal Government that the carbon pollution reduction scheme will not be introduced until at least 2013, regulatory initiatives designed to promote energy efficiency are likely to play an even greater role in Australian climate change policy. As part of our series on energy efficiency, we outline some recent developments in the building sector and the work of the Prime Minister's Task Group on Energy Efficiency

30 April 2010

The Federal Government this week announced plans to delay its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme until at least 2013. This unexpected backflip, which is inconsistent with the Government's previous strong rhetoric on the need for urgent action on climate change, will exacerbate industry uncertainty about the Government's climate change policy and damage Australia's international credibility. Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer Fergus Green report

28 April 2010

Partner Anna Collyer recently chaired a Boardroom Radio roundtable discussion on the outlook for the geothermal industry. Anna speaks with Geodynamics Managing Director Gerry Grove-White and Australian Geothermal Energy Association Managing Director Susan Jeanes on a range issues relating to the geothermal industry

13 April 2010

New legislation was introduced into Federal Parliament recently which, if passed, would impose energy related disclosure obligations on those offering to sell, lease or sub-lease office buildings of 2000m2 or more. This Focus is the first in a series on the Federal Government's policies to promote energy efficiency. Partner Chris Schulz and Lawyer Nadia Harrison report