Policy

Establishes ARENA, an independent agency to improve the competitiveness of renewable energy technologies and to increase the supply of renewable energy in Australia. Funding is made available for renewable energy projects and research and development activities.

ARENA

Policy

By 2030, 40% improvement in national energy, from 2015. Supported by the National Energy Productivity Plan (NEPP), a framework to better coordinate energy market reform, energy efficiency and climate policy, and stimulate innovation and more productive consumer choices. Measures include: increased energy efficiency improvement across the residential, commercial and industrial sectors in buildings, appliances and equipment; smarter management of energy; improvement in light vehicle fuel efficiency; reformed electricity and gas market policy to further support new emerging clean technologies and help consumers to reduce energy costs; support to technological and business-model innovation in the energy sector and growth in renewable energy and expansion of the Emission Reduction Fund.

National Energy Productivity Plan 2015-2030

Policy

Promotes the development and adoption of products that use less energy, produce fewer GHGs, or contribute to the reducing of energy or GHGs produced by other products. It is also intended to give effect to Australia’s obligations under the UNFCCC. Establishes greenhouse and energy minimum standards (GEMS), applied to the supply and commercial use of products that either use energy, or affect the energy used by another product. The specific GEMS are provided for by requirements in Ministerial determinations. A GEMS register is established to ensure products comply with GEMS.

Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Act

Policy

Establishes the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to facilitate increased flows of finance into the clean energy sector. Invests funds in renewable energy, low-emissions technology, and energy efficiency projects. Funding is generally provided through loans on commercial or concessional terms. However, the CEFC is not restricted from using other structures to address impediments to investment in the clean energy sector. CEFC is an Australian-owned Green Bank.

Clean Energy Finance Corporation Act & CEFC Website

Policy

Provides the overarching framework for energy efficiency policy. Focuses on improving minimum standards for energy efficiency and accelerating the introduction of new technologies to transition to a low-carbon future.

National Strategy on Energy Efficiency

Policy

Provides support for the accelerated deployment of industrial scale Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) demonstration projects.  

CCS Flagships

Policy

Aims to encourage the additional generation of electricity from renewable sources; reduce emissions of greenhouse gases in the electricity sector; and ensure that renewable energy sources are ecologically sustainable. Objectives are to be achieved though electricity certificates: large-scale generation certificates, created in relation to the generation of electricity by accredited power stations; and small-scale technology certificates, created in relation to the installation of solar water heaters and small generation units. A wide range of renewable energy sources are eligible.

Renewable Energy Electricity Act

Policy

Establishes the Emissions Reduction Fund to help Australia meet its emissions reduction target. The Government will purchase lowest cost abatement (in the form of Australian carbon credit units) from a wide range of sources, providing an incentive to businesses, households and landowners to proactively reduce their emissions. 

Emissions Reduction Fund

Policy

Aims to provide a regulatory framework for petroleum exploration and recovery, and the exploration for potential GHG storage formations, injection and storage of GHG substances in offshore areas. Designates a “Joint Authority” for each offshore area, responsible for implementing the Act.

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act

Policy

Creates a financial incentive for the establishment or expansion of renewable energy power stations, such as wind and solar farms or hydro-electric power stations by legislating demand for Large-scale Generation Certificates (LGCs). One LGC can be created for each megawatt-hour of eligible renewable electricity produced by an accredited renewable power station. LGCs can be sold to entities (mainly electricity retailers) that surrender them annually to the Clean Energy Regulator to demonstrate their compliance with the Renewable Energy Target scheme’s annual targets.

Renewable Energy Target Scheme

Policy

Creates a collaborative partnership between Federal and State governments, the coal and electricity generation industries, and the research community. The goals of ‘COAL21’ are to: create a national plan to scope, develop, demonstrate and implement near zero emissions coal-based electricity generation; inform policy development; facilitate the demonstration, commercialization and early uptake of technologies; provide a mechanism for effective interaction and integration with other international zero-emission coal initiatives.

COAL21

Policy

Establishes the National Carbon Offset Standard as a way for organizations to reduce carbon pollution beyond Australia’s national targets. Provides a benchmark for businesses and other organizations voluntarily seeking to be carbon neutral for their operations, products, services or events. The Standard sets out requirements for achieving carbon neutrality.

National Carbon Offset Standard

Organizations Specific Standard  

Buildings Specific Standard

Products/Services Specific Standard

Precincts Specific Standard

Policy

Requires energy efficiency information, in the form of a Building Energy Efficiency Certificate, to be provided when commercial office over a certain size (1,000 square meters) is offered for sale or lease. Aims to improve the energy efficiency of Australia’s large office buildings and includes heavy financial penalties for non-compliance.

Building Energy Efficiency Disclosure Act

Policy

Phases out inefficient incandescent bulbs and promotes efficient lighting alternatives including compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). Implemented through the establishment of minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for lighting products.

Phase Out of Inefficient Light Bulbs

Policy

Supports the development and implementation of energy management and energy efficiency strategies by companies. Produces resources such as case studies, energy saving opportunities in key sectors and technologies, information on business support programs, financing options and business case guidance to help companies integrate energy efficiency into all areas of their business.

Energy Efficiency Exchange (EEX)

Policy

Establishes energy efficiency provisions for all building classifications under Building Code Australia (BCA) and a Nation-wide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) to enable householders to assess the energy efficiency of houses.

NatHERS

Policy

Aims to increase the energy efficiency of lighting, appliances, and equipment used in residential, commercial, and manufacturing sectors in Australia and New Zealand. Administers energy efficiency standards as well as labeling programs (Minimum Energy Performance Standards [MEPS] and High Efficiency Performance Standards [HEPS]) and comparative energy rating labeling. New Zealand is a partner in the E3 Program under a bilateral agreement between Australia and New Zealand. Performance standards and energy rating labeling are regulated through state and territory government regulations and penalties exist for non-compliance.

E3 Program

Policy

Establishes the Carbon Neutral Program, a voluntary scheme that certifies products, business operations or events as carbon neutral against the Australian Government’s National Carbon Offset Standard (the Standard).

Carbon Neutral Program

Policy

Establishes the legislative framework for the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme, which introduces a single national reporting framework for the reporting and dissemination of information related to GHG emissions, GHG projects, energy consumption and energy production of corporations. Establishes thresholds in relation to GHG emissions, energy production and energy consumption. Corporations that meet an annual NGER threshold must register with the Clean Energy Regulator, and submit annual reports of GHG emissions, energy production, energy consumption, and other information. Information is housed in the NGER EERS.

National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act (NGER) & Recent Amendment

Policy

Establishes the Australian Government’s Safeguard Mechanism, under the NGER scheme, to ensure that emission reductions purchased by the Government are not offset by significant increases in emissions above business as usual levels elsewhere in the economy.  

Safeguard Mechanism

Policy

Establishes a voluntary performance-based rating system that measures an existing buildings overall environmental performance during operation (National Australian Built Environment Rating System – NABERS). Measures the energy efficiency, water usage, waste management and indoor environment quality of a building or tenancy and its impact on the environment.

NABERS