The Coalition Government has an effective suite of policies for tackling climate change. We are reducing emissions, promoting energy efficiency and clean energy innovation and investing in renewable energy.
The Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) is the centrepiece of the Government’s suite of policies to tackle climate change and it is already driving significant abatement and cuts in emissions.
The ERF supports Australian businesses and households to take practical, direct action to reduce emissions and improve the environment – without a multi-billion dollar carbon tax.
From 1 July 2016, the ERF’s safeguard mechanism will commence to ensure emissions reductions contracted through the Emissions Reduction Fund are not offset by significant increases in emissions above business-as-usual levels elsewhere in the economy.
As set out in the Safeguard Mechanism Consultation Paper in March 2015, benchmarks will be established for new industrial projects that commence post 2020.
This will help reduce Australia’s emissions and improve the health of the environment.
The Government has today released for public consultation the draft guidelines on the process for setting these benchmarks.
This extensive consultation with industry and the community will be followed by expert review by an independent committee.
Work will begin on the first benchmarks once the guidelines are finalised. They will apply after 2020 to new facilities or significant expansions covered by the safeguard mechanism.
Interested businesses and members of the community are invited to make written submissions on the draft guidelines until 6 May 2016.
Further information is available online:
www.environment.gov.au/climate-change/emissions-reduction-fund/about/safeguard-mechanism
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