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
2/14/2024
/ Alternative Fuels ,
Australia ,
Clean Energy ,
Climate Action Plan ,
Climate Change ,
Fuel Efficiency ,
Hydrogen Power ,
Infrastructure ,
Natural Gas ,
Oil & Gas ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Renewable Energy ,
Supply Chain
In Short -
The Situation: Significant climate law reforms came into force in Australia on 15 September 2022, with the commencement of the Climate Change Act 2022 (Cth) ("Climate Change Act") and the Climate Change...more
Introduction -
The development of a clean hydrogen industry is an important element of Australia's emissions reduction plan, and the Australian government has said it will invest AU $1.4 billion to build the industry. The...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
The Background -
Despite plentiful natural resources and a healthy domestic demand for energy, Australia's offshore renewable energy sector has lagged behind comparable jurisdictions. While the offshore wind sector is...more
Proceedings filed by public interest group Environment Victoria represent the first climate change litigation in Australia to challenge the licence to operate of coal-fired energy producers. A public interest group has filed...more
10/6/2021
/ Australia ,
Carbon Emissions ,
Climate Change ,
Coal Industry ,
Coal-Fired Plants ,
Energy & Climate Debates ,
Energy Policy ,
Energy Projects ,
Environmental Policies ,
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ,
Licensing Rules ,
Pollution Control ,
Power Infrastructure ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Victorian Supreme Court
NSW Court of Criminal Appeal rules that any admissions made in civil proceedings can be used in future criminal proceedings.
In Turnbull v Office of Environment and Heritage [2021] NSWCCA 190, the NSW Court of Criminal...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
9/9/2021
/ Australia ,
Breach of Duty ,
Climate Action Plan ,
Climate Change ,
Environmental Claims ,
Environmental Policies ,
Global Warming ,
Regulatory Agencies ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Regulatory Reform ,
Statutory Requirements
On 26 August 2021, the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility ("ACCR") initiated proceedings against Australian gas-producer Santos Limited, challenging statements and policies which the ACCR considered...more
The New South Wales Government recently announced that the land available for gas exploration will be significantly reduced.
The Future of Gas Statement published by the New South Wales ("NSW") Government outlines plans...more
Default in paying monthly mineral sales royalties leads to an obligation to pay up front the present value of future royalties. A decision (Thalanga Copper Mines Pty Ltd v Cromarty Resources Pty Ltd [2021] NSWSC 640 (4 June...more
The Situation: In a landmark judgment, on 27 May 2021, the Federal Court of Australia ruled in Sharma v Minister for the Environment [2021] FCA 560 (Sharma) that, when deciding whether or not to grant approval to a coal mine...more
On September 8, 2020, the law firm Equity Generation Lawyers filed a class action on behalf of young people globally, seeking an injunction to restrain the Australian Government's Minister for the Environment, Sussan Ley,...more
The Situation: The question in Termite Resources NL (in liq) v Meadows, in the matter of Termite Resources NL (in liq) (No 2) [2019] FCA 354 was whether, in circumstances where the strategic, managerial and major operational...more
The High Court of Australia has handed down its first decision on compensation payable under the federal Native Title Act 1993 ("Act"). The case is Northern Territory v Mr A. Griffiths (deceased) and Lorraine Jones on behalf...more
In this White Paper, we examine three recently decided Australian cases that separately provide guidance on topics of interest to the mining sector.
In the first, the court refused planning approval for a new open cut coal...more
Australian coal miners and landowners should prepare themselves for their roles in the new claims system. A fairer and quicker claims system is proposed....more