Allens

05 March 2010

The Federal Government has announced significant changes to the Renewable Energy Target scheme that will split the scheme into small and large project schemes. Partner Anna Collyer speaks to Boardroom Radio about the impact of these changes on large renewable energy projects and the Federal Government's renewable energy targets

02 March 2010

Changes to the Renewable Energy Target scheme announced by the Federal Government will help progress projects to develop wind, solar and geothermal energy that have been on hold. Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer Nick Buttner report

23 December 2009

After years of planning, months of great expectation, weeks of negotiation, days of drama and a crucial few final hours of exasperated deal-making, world leaders emerged late last Friday with a tentative political accord that sets out the broad framework from which a comprehensive treaty to address climate change may eventually emerge. Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer Fergus Green report on the outcome of the Copenhagen Conference and its implications for Australia

18 December 2009

Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer Fergus Green review 13 Asian nations' climate change regimes

18 December 2009

The Copenhagen Climate Change Conference continues. Lawyer Fergus Green speaks to Boardroom Radio from Copenhagen about the latest negotiations at the conference

11 December 2009

The Copenhagen Climate Change Conference is under way. Lawyer Fergus Green speaks to Boardroom Radio from Copenhagen about the latest negotiations at the conference

04 December 2009

Australian politics has been rocked by the Federal Government's plan to introduce an Emissions Trading Scheme. Partner Grant Anderson speaks to Boardroom Radio about how these developments will effect Australia's position at the Copenhagen conference

01 December 2009

The last 24 hours has seen Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and United States President Barack Obama meet to discuss climate change policy and dramatic political developments in Australia stemming from the domestic climate change debate. Partner Darren Murphy and Vinson & Elkins Counsel Chris Carr speak to Boardroom Radio about the political tensions, the schemes that have been proposed in Australia and the United States and some of the key issues that need to be resolved

30 November 2009

Two recent decisions of Federal Courts of Appeal in different Circuits in the United States have reversed the trend in lower US Courts to allow claims for damages based on climate change to be brought under federal common law nuisance principles. A more recent third decision of a lower federal District Court in a different Circuit, however, is a reminder of the hurdles for any potential climate change plaintiffs. Partners Matthew Skinner and Annette Hughes and Lawyer Julie-Anne Pearce report

26 November 2009

With two weeks to go before the beginning of the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, Allens Arthur Robinson has released an overview of climate change policies in the Asia Pacific region. Partner Grant Anderson speaks to Boardroom Radio about the possible outcomes of the conference and what the overview of climate change policy found

25 November 2009

Partner Grant Anderson looks at the changes proposed by the Federal Government to its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme and compares them with the demands made by the Federal Opposition.

20 October 2009

The Federal Government has fulfilled its Kyoto Protocol obligations by establishing the Australian National Registry of Emissions Units and the Australian National Authority for the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI). Australian individuals and organisations may now apply for registry accounts to hold and trade Kyoto units, as well as for approval to undertake CDM and JI projects. Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer Amy Ward report

21 August 2009

The Senate has passed legislation to implement Australia's new expanded national renewable energy target scheme. Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer Ben Strate report

13 August 2009

Australia's Senate today rejected the Federal Government's proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. Partner and climate change law specialist Grant Anderson speaks to Boardroom Radio about what the defeat of the emissions trading scheme means for business and discusses the implications of the defeat on renewable energy legislation, which the Government had proposed to link to the CPRS

06 August 2009

The Draft South East Queensland Climate Change Management Plan, which proposes actions to implement the climate change policies in the new South East Queensland Regional Plan, was recently released for public comment. Partner Bill McCredie, and Senior Associates Suzanne Westgate and Simon Batten report

31 July 2009

The National Indigenous Climate Change Project helps indigenous groups to negotiate with energy and resources companies to run carbon-offset projects on native land. Senior Associate Emily Gerrard speaks to Boardroom Radio about the work of the project

07 July 2009

The Senate Standing Committee on Economics and the Senate Select Committee on Climate Policy have handed down their reports on the Federal Government's legislation to implement its proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. These reports reflect the seemingly entrenched views of political players who will determine the fate of the legislation when it is voted on in August, and underscore the likelihood that the Senate will not pass the legislation in its current form - at least this time around. We also look at the greenhouse gas legislation that has recently been passed by the US House of Representatives

03 July 2009

The Department of Climate Change has released draft regulations for public comment that set out the details of the emissions-intensive trade-exposed assistance program that is to form part of the Federal Government's proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer John Henderson report

09 June 2009

Last month, the Environment Protection and Heritage Council released the Environmental Guidelines for Carbon Dioxide Capture and Geological Storage - 2009. This followed the Federal Government's release of acreage and guidance notes for carbon capture and storage assessment under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (Cth) in March 2009. Partner Chris Schulz, Senior Associate Emily Gerrard and Lawyer Sarah Dynon explore the environmental and planning issues relevant to applications for assessment permits under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act

19 May 2009

The Federal Government has introduced into Parliament legislation to implement its proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. The legislation as introduced has been modified in a number of respects from the exposure draft legislation that was released in March. Partner Grant Anderson reports.

12 May 2009

Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer Ben Strate report on changes to the design of the expanded national Renewable Energy Target scheme that were agreed by COAG on 30 April 2009

04 May 2009

Recently, the Senate Standing Committee on Economics handed down its report on the draft legislation to implement the Federal Government's proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. While the Federal Government requires the support of either the Opposition or the Greens and the two independent senators for the legislation to pass, the positions of the non-Government parties (as outlined in the report) make it clear that there is some way to go before the Government is likely to achieve the necessary support. Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer John Henderson report.

08 April 2009

The Federal Government has announced the world-first release of offshore areas for assessment as potential carbon injection and storage sites under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (Cth). Partner Anna Collyer reports on this significant development on one of the foundation elements of the Government's emissions reduction strategy

01 April 2009

Recently, amendment regulations have come into force that streamline the registration process for companies that are required to register and report under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme and that support the operation of amendments that have been made to the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act. Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer Nick Buttner report

17 March 2009

The New South Wales Government has released its Draft Sea Level Rise Policy Statement for public comment. The policy outlines the government's response to rising sea levels and the associated effects of climate change. Partner Jim Parker and Lawyer Fleur Ramsay report on the policy and consider potential implications for coastal planning, development and land ownership in NSW

11 March 2009

Yesterday afternoon the Federal Government released exposure draft legislation for its proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS). While the draft legislation is extensive and submissions on it are due by 14 April, it closely mirrors the proposals put forward by the Government in its White Paper, Australia's Low Pollution Future, released on 15 December last year. These proposals are summarised in the nine-article series on the White Paper that is available in the Climate Change publications area of our website. Partner Grant Anderson reports

02 March 2009

Stand-alone carbon storage legislation commenced in Queensland last week. This follows the earlier leads of Victorian and federal (offshore) legislation and, at some 450 pages, provides a detailed regime for storage of greenhouse gases within Queensland territorial borders. Partner Ben Zillmann and Senior Associate Rochelle Carey report on some of the key features of the legislation

26 February 2009

Following on from our summary of the Federal Government's White Paper on its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, Australia's Low Pollution Future, Partner Jim Parker and Senior Associate Robyn Glindemann discuss in greater detail the White Paper's proposals on the treatment of forestry, agriculture, offsets and energy efficiency initiatives under the Scheme. This is the ninth and final in a series of articles that examines in more depth the principal proposals contained in the White Paper

20 February 2009

Following on from our summary of the Federal Government's White Paper on its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, Australia's Low Pollution Future, Partner Grant Cathro and Lawyer Penny Alexander discuss in detail the tax consequences of the proposed Scheme. This is the eighth in a series of articles that examines in more depth the principal proposals contained in the White Paper

12 February 2009

Following on from our summary of the Federal Government's White Paper on its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, Australia's Low Pollution Future, Partner Grant Anderson discusses in greater detail the implications of the White Paper proposals for the contractual provisions that should be included in supply contracts, outsourcing contracts and joint venture agreements. This is the seventh in a series of articles that examines in more depth the principal proposals contained in the White Paper

09 February 2009

Late last year, the Federal Government released a National Carbon Offset Standard Discussion Paper, together with a draft National Carbon Offset Standard. Partner Grant Anderson and Senior Associate Sarah Birrell describe the principal elements of the proposed standard, which has significant implications for the voluntary carbon market in Australia.

06 February 2009

Following on from our summary of the Federal Government's White Paper on its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, Australia's Low Pollution Future, Partner Anna Collyer and Lawyer Damien Hughes discuss in greater detail the treatment of carbon capture and storage under the Scheme. This is the sixth in a series of articles that examines in more depth the principal proposals contained in the White Paper

30 January 2009

Following on from our summary of the Federal Government's White Paper on its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, Australia's Low Pollution Future, Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer John Henderson discuss in greater detail the emissions reduction targets and the use of international units proposed for the Scheme, and give some international context to these proposals. This is the fifth in a series of articles that examines in more depth the principal proposals contained in the White Paper

23 January 2009

Following on from our summary of the Federal Government's White Paper on its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, Australia's Low Pollution Future, Partner John Greig and Lawyers Emma Leske and Tim Dalton discuss in greater detail the White Paper proposals that are designed to facilitate the development of an efficient carbon market. This is the fourth in a series of articles that examines in more depth the principal proposals contained in the White Paper

15 January 2009

Following on from our summary of the Federal Government's White Paper on its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, Australia's Low Pollution Future, Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer John Henderson discuss in greater detail the assistance that is to be provided to coal-fired electricity generators and the impact of the Scheme on the electricity industry. This is the third in a series of articles that examines in more depth the principal proposals contained in the White Paper

09 January 2009

Following on from our summary of the Federal Government's White Paper on its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, Australia's Low Pollution Future, Partner Grant Anderson discusses in greater detail the activities that will attract liability and the entities that will be liable under that scheme. This is the second in a series of articles that examines in more depth the principal proposals contained in the White Paper

24 December 2008

The Federal Department of Climate Change recently released an exposure draft of legislation and regulations for the Federal Government's proposed expanded national renewable energy target scheme. Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer John Henderson look at the draft legislation and some associated proposals

23 December 2008

Following on from our summary of the Federal Government's White Paper on its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme 'Australia's Low Pollution Future' , Partner Grant Anderson discusses in greater detail the assistance that is to be provided to emissions-intensive trade-exposed industries. This is the first in a series of articles that examines in more depth the principal proposals contained in the White Paper

15 December 2008

At midday, the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, released the much-anticipated White Paper that outlines the Federal Government's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme and the medium-term target for reducing national emissions

20 November 2008

The long-awaited enabling legislation for carbon capture and storage in Commonwealth offshore waters has been passed by the Federal Parliament. Partner Anna Collyer and Lawyer Damien Hughes look at the important last-minute Senate amendments to the legislation

07 November 2008

The Victorian Parliament has passed legislation to facilitate and regulate carbon capture and storage activities in onshore Victoria. The passage of the legislation is in advance of the Federal Government's 'offshore' carbon capture and storage Bill, which is currently before the Senate. Partner Anna Collyer, Senior Associate Peter O'Sullivan and Lawyer Damien Hughes report

05 November 2008

China's State Council Information Office recently released its White Paper on climate change. Partner Campbell Davidson and Lawyer Mark Harding report on this major policy statement from the Chinese Government

03 November 2008

Late last week the Treasurer and the Minister for Climate Change and Water released the long-awaited Commonwealth Treasury modelling on the economic impact on Australia of reducing greenhouse gas emissions over the medium and long term. Partner Grant Anderson discusses the outcomes of that modelling

24 October 2008

The need to meet new emissions reporting requirements in 2009 will require many organisations to procure new information technology systems or modify existing systems to provide enhanced reporting systems capability. Partner Niranjan Arasaratnam and Senior Associate Ken Shiu report on what needs to be done to comply with the reporting requirements

23 October 2008

Partner Anna Collyer and Senior Associate Cate Barlow look at the progress of an important piece of Commonwealth carbon capture legislation

30 September 2008

The Garnaut Climate Change Review's Final Report, which was released today, contains no surprises but simply confirms many of the findings and recommendations made in the Review's previous reports. Partner Grant Anderson reports

05 September 2008

Professor Ross Garnaut's Supplementary Draft Report released today proposes a 'soft approach' to emission reduction targets, with the development of a comprehensive international agreement being critical to Australia accepting increased targets. Partner Matthew Skinner and Senior Associate Suzanne Westgate report

01 September 2008

The Voluntary Carbon Standard 2007 is one of the most internationally recognised voluntary standards for earning carbon credits. Partner Campbell Davidson and Lawyer Mark Harding examine the Voluntary Carbon Standard as an alternative, or complement, to Clean Development Mechanism approval for greenhouse gas-reducing projects in the PRC

07 August 2008

In a landmark decision, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has refused development consent to a housing development in South Gippsland because of climate change considerations, including the threat of increasing storm severity and rising sea levels. Partner Paul Lalich, Lawyer Fleur Ramsay and Paralegal Madeleine Ellicott report on the decision

29 July 2008

The ACCC has released a guideline, Carbon claims and the Trade Practices Act, that is intended to inform both the providers and users of carbon offsets of their obligations under the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) where they make claims based on those carbon offsets. Partner Grant Anderson and Lawyer Adam Ross report