In response to the COVID-19 emergency, the Queensland Government has, since March 2020, made changes to streamline aspects of the planning system, and further changes are proposed. These further proposed changes are open for public submission until 7 August 2020. ...

The 'just transition' is frequently used to refer to a framework for a transition to a low-carbon economy that takes into account the associated economic and social costs and opportunities. ...

Australia's 'green finance' market continues to grow steadily in response to global environmental challenges and to support sustainable development. Innovative financial products continue to be developed to direct capital towards green projects and to promote sustainability causes or ESG-related per ...

In the light of the mounting pressure on businesses to address climate change risks, there is growing impetus to collaborate on effective ways to approach climate change management. ...

As electricity prices rise and we move towards a carbon‑constrained future, companies are looking for ways to manage their exposure to changing electricity prices and to purchase electricity from renewable sources. Generators are also looking beyond retailers as potential offtakers to support the de ...

The National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) scheme requires some companies to account for the scope 1 and scope 2 emissions they are responsible for. Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions for which a company is responsible, whilst scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from the purchase o ...

The term 'soft law' refers to rules, principles or guidelines that are not themselves legally binding, but nonetheless play an important role in promoting compliance with certain standards of behaviour. Rules of 'soft law' can often act as a precursor to the emergence of 'hard law'. ...

Even in a COVID-19 affected world, climate change remains a material consideration for most businesses. The challenge of reaching net zero by 2050, in particular, will increasingly demand the attention of in house legal and compliance teams. ...

State and territory governments are increasingly willing to take action separate to the Federal Government to address climate change through state schemes, policies and, in some cases, legislation. This represents a change in approach at the state and territory level over the past decade, as climate ...

COVID-19 and competition and consumer law issues; ACCC fines Queensland Yoghurt Company; news media bargaining code; Holden agrees to reduce speed of engagement with dealers over compensation; ACCC CDR accreditation platform now live; Voltaren gel decision in Federal Court; and EB Games to refund customers after not playing fair. ...