Australia has now officially passed laws that will introduce a mandatory climate-related financial disclosure regime from 1 January 2025. This is one of the most significant reforms to corporate financial reporting in...more
The Australian Federal Minister for the Environment and Water has tabled proposed laws before the Australian Parliament to establish new national environmental agencies, enhance their enforcement powers and establish the...more
Australia continues to be a highly active jurisdiction for climate-related lawsuits. Since our last update in August 2023, we have seen a steady stream of suits commenced against corporations and government bodies in relation...more
In recent years, the Australian federal government has committed, at both the domestic and international levels, to ambitious renewable energy targets. Australia’s hydrogen sector is positioning itself to play an increasingly...more
Following two rounds of consultation, the Australian Government has released an exposure draft of the Treasury Laws Amendment Bill 2024: Climate related financial disclosure (Draft Bill) which would introduce mandatory,...more
On August 10, 2023, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) announced its third civil penalty proceeding this year for greenwashing against LGSS Pty Limited, which is trustee for superannuation fund Local...more
Australia continues to be a highly active jurisdiction for climate-related lawsuits. The last few years have seen multiple suits commenced against corporations and governments in relation to climate issues, with more filings...more
In June 2023, the Australian government published an updated Statement of Expectations for the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), requiring it to, among other things, “promote prudent practices and...more
In May 2023, Global Feedback, an environmental advocacy group based in the UK and the Netherlands, announced that it had filed legal proceedings against the UK government, claiming that it failed to adequately assess the...more
In a speech delivered at the Australian Finance Review’s ESG summit on June 5, 2023, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s (ASIC) Chair, Joe Longo, warned companies that greenwashing is an ongoing concern for...more
On 30 March 2023, the Australian Federal Parliament passed the Safeguard Mechanism (Crediting) Amendment Act 2023 (Cth) (Safeguard Act). The Safeguard Act, together with the Federal government's proposed reforms to the design...more
In late 2021, the Australian Federal Government released its long term plan to deliver net zero emissions by 2050. This plan relies in part on workings of the Emissions Reduction Fund, which is a voluntary scheme aimed at...more
Just days out from the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties ("COP26"), the Australian government has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions to net zero by 2050. While Australia has been...more
The Facts In April 2020, a climate action group called Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action Incorporated ("BSCA") filed civil enforcement proceedings against the EPA in the NSW Land and Environment Court....more
What happened? The Chief Judge of the NSW Land and Environment Court in Australia has upheld the decision of the NSW Minister for Planning's delegate to refuse planning approval for the proposed Rocky Hill Coal Project...more
The Australian Federal Government (Government) released a Green Paper on Friday 20 December as part of its Direct Action Plan on climate change policy. The Green Paper outlines the Government's preferred design for an...more