Climate change continues to dominate the Federal and State Governments’ agendas with recent reports predicting that Australia’s emissions will rise steeply without decisive and effective new policy action.
The Federal Government is committed to achieving at least a 5% reduction in Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 (from 2000 levels) and is now proposing a target of an 80% reduction by 2050 (from 2000 levels) in line with targets in the United Kingdom and Germany.
Details of the national Carbon Price Mechanism have been announced but there is still some uncertainty about the practical implementation of the scheme and how the legislation will be driven through in the current political environment. The proposed mechanism is part of a wider national climate change plan – Securing a Clean Energy Future – which places more emphasis on renewable energy, energy efficiency and Government assistance.
Businesses must now prepare for the various legal ramifications of the Carbon Price Mechanism and need to assess the impact of the carbon price on their business, review contracts to ensure they contain an appropriate mechanism for passing through or apportioning carbon costs and take steps to ensure their information gathering and disclosure obligations are met.
Corrs has been advising on the full spectrum of climate change policy issues and initiatives -from the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme through to the trading of carbon, the Renewable Energy Target Scheme, strategies to prepare for a carbon price and an emissions trading scheme; and renewable energy projects.
We also have significant expertise on the implications of Commonwealth and State legislation on carbon capture and storage, having advised on one of Australia’s flagship carbon capture and storage demonstration plants, and on the legislative framework applying to renewable energy projects.
The government’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation will commence investing in green energy projects next year. But is it really a cure for the renewable sector’s malaise?
More
With the introduction of a carbon price imminent, businesses should now be assessing the impact that it will have on their activities and taking steps to prepare for its introduction.
More
The Carbon Pricing Mechanism will commence on 1 July 2012, with around 500 companies required to acquire and surrender carbon permits.
More
The renewable energy and clean technology sectors will receive a substantial boost under the Government’s climate change plan.
More
Various sources of financial assistance will be available for the industries that are expected to be the hardest hit by the Carbon Pricing Mechanism.
MoreRecently, the Land and Environment Court handed down its decision in Hunter Environment Lobby Inc v Minister for Planning (No 2) [2012] NSWLEC 40 and, contrary to an earlier finding, declined to impose conditions requiring Ulan Coal Mines Ltd (Ulan)
DownloadOur Melbourne Environment team recently acted for the Environment Protection Authority Victoria in a high profile, complex and intensely contested climate change case in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
DownloadAustralia is a country with vast mineral wealth; a stable political, legal and economic environment; a highly skilled and productive workforce; and a welcoming attitude to foreign investment - making it a favourite destination for foreign investors.
Download
How can businesses who make claims about the impact of the carbon price, avoid making misleading or false claims about the price of goods or services in breach of the Australian Consumer Law?
More
A number of significant changes have been made to the Bill since the exposure draft was released in July this year. This article highlights a number of key changes that impact on the operation of the CPM.
More
Various changes to the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme (NGERS) are proposed to accommodate the carbon pricing mechanism and streamline existing reporting obligations. Have you reviewed and assessed the implications?
More
The ACCC will be closely scrutinising business’ claims about the impact of the carbon price. What claims are likely to raise issues?
More
IT is an integral part of all business, as well as our every day lives. With running costs anticipated to rise, how will the carbon price affect the industry and what does it mean for your organisation?
More
Frequently used cost “pass-through” mechanisms in services agreements are change in tax and change in law provisions - but these may have limited application in service agreements between data centre service providers and their customers for a number
More
Even where data centre customers face increased service charges as a result of electricity price increases, customers should carefully consider data security issues that arise when using offshore IT infrastructure and cloud offerings.
More
Customers of Australian data centres should review the terms of their service agreements, and consider the extent to which their service providers may be entitled to pass on additional operational costs.
More
The largest polluters in the mining sector will be directly impacted by the Carbon Price, but the flow on effects will be felt by the entire industry.
More
Partner in Charge of our Melbourne Planning, Environment and Local Government group, Beverly Kennedy, talks about the implications of the carbon price.
More
Australia is a country with vast mineral wealth; a stable political, legal and economic environment; a highly skilled and productive workforce; and a welcoming attitude to foreign investment - making it a favourite destination for foreign investors.
Recently, the Land and Environment Court handed down its decision in Hunter Environment Lobby Inc v Minister for Planning (No 2) [2012] NSWLEC 40 and, contrary to an earlier finding, declined to impose conditions requiring Ulan Coal Mines Ltd (Ulan)
Partner in Charge of our Melbourne Planning, Environment and Local Government group, Beverly Kennedy, talks about the implications of the carbon price.
The largest polluters in the mining sector will be directly impacted by the Carbon Price, but the flow on effects will be felt by the entire industry.
IT is an integral part of all business, as well as our every day lives. With running costs anticipated to rise, how will the carbon price affect the industry and what does it mean for your organisation?
Frequently used cost “pass-through” mechanisms in services agreements are change in tax and change in law provisions - but these may have limited application in service agreements between data centre service providers and their customers for a number
Even where data centre customers face increased service charges as a result of electricity price increases, customers should carefully consider data security issues that arise when using offshore IT infrastructure and cloud offerings.
Customers of Australian data centres should review the terms of their service agreements, and consider the extent to which their service providers may be entitled to pass on additional operational costs.
The ACCC will be closely scrutinising business’ claims about the impact of the carbon price. What claims are likely to raise issues?
Our Melbourne Environment team recently acted for the Environment Protection Authority Victoria in a high profile, complex and intensely contested climate change case in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Various changes to the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme (NGERS) are proposed to accommodate the carbon pricing mechanism and streamline existing reporting obligations. Have you reviewed and assessed the implications?
A number of significant changes have been made to the Bill since the exposure draft was released in July this year. This article highlights a number of key changes that impact on the operation of the CPM.
How can businesses who make claims about the impact of the carbon price, avoid making misleading or false claims about the price of goods or services in breach of the Australian Consumer Law?
With the introduction of a carbon price imminent, businesses should now be assessing the impact that it will have on their activities and taking steps to prepare for its introduction.
The Carbon Pricing Mechanism will commence on 1 July 2012, with around 500 companies required to acquire and surrender carbon permits.
The renewable energy and clean technology sectors will receive a substantial boost under the Government’s climate change plan.
Various sources of financial assistance will be available for the industries that are expected to be the hardest hit by the Carbon Pricing Mechanism.
19th March 2012 |
The government’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation will commence investing in green energy projects next year. But is it really a cure for the renewable sector’s malaise?
