Australia Australian Government Tables 2022 Climate Change Bill

Australia Draft Climate Change
23 August 2022  NAKAGAWA Shotaro  NAKAGAWA Shotaro (EnviX, Ltd.)
Australian Government Tables 2022 Climate Change Bill

On July 27, 2022, the Australian government tabled the Climate Change Bill 2022 in Parliament. The bill aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030 compared to 2005 and to set out a target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. As of August 4, 2022, the bill has just completed its third reading in the House of Representatives, and if it progresses normally, it will pass the House of Representatives and be read in the Senate shortly. On July 28, 2022, the Senate referred the bill to the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by August 31, 2022.

 

Overview of the Bill

The Bill consists of four main parts:

  • Stipulation of reduction targets into law
    Stipulate into law the target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030 compared to 2005 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This target was communicated by Australia to the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change on June 16, 2022 as an updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
  • Assignment of positions to the Climate Change Authority
    The Bill shall be operated by the Director of Climate Change. It also requires the Climate Change Authority to review/advise on Australia’s progress against the targets, and to review/advise on new targets under the Paris Agreement (including the 2035 targets). The first review/advice should be within 5 years, and the next review/advice should be after the first 10 years.
    The Climate Change Authority was announced as a body for independent policy advice at the NDC in June 2022.
  • Presentation of statement by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to Parliament
    In order to fulfill his/her accountability for achieving the reduction targets, within 6 months after the end of each financial year, the Minister must prepare a statement that relates to:

    • The progress made during the year towards achieving Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets; and
    • international developments during the year that are relevant to addressing climate change; and
    • Climate change policy; and
    • The effectiveness of the Commonwealth’s policies in contributing to the achievement of the targets
  • Reflect reduction targets in the objectives and functions of key government agencies
    Reflect Australia’s reduction targets in the objectives and functions of key government agencies, including the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), Infrastructure Australia, and the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF).

 

Relevant documents can be viewed from the following URLs:

 

Author / Responsibility

NAKAGAWA Shotaro

Researcher, Research & Consulting Dept. EnviX Ltd.

Business Performance

In charge of Japan, Oceania (Australia, New Zealand) for managing information on the environmental regulations.

Background

B.A. in International and Area Studies, majored in English, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies

NAKAGAWA Shotaro