Climate Change Bill 2022 [Provisions] and the Climate Change (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2022 [Provisions]

August 2022

© Commonwealth of Australia 2022
ISBN: 978-1-76093-418-7

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Members

Abbreviations

List of Recommendations

Chapter 1—Introduction

  Conduct of the inquiry
  Acknowledgement
  Scope and structure of the report
  Background to the bills
  Key provisions of the bills

Chapter 2—The changing climate

  The reality of climate change
  The impact of climate change on Australia
  Australia's historical emissions reduction targets
  The Paris Agreement
  Emissions reduction targets
  Transition presents opportunities
  Committee view

Chapter 3—Key issues—Climate Change bill

  Support for the bills
  Emissions reduction targets
  Annual climate change statement
  Advice on annual climate change statement
  The development of future targets
  Independent reviews of the legislative framework
  Committee view

Chapter 4—Key issues—Consequential Amendments bill and other matters

  The Consequential Amendments bill
  Other matters
  Committee view

Coalition Senators' Dissenting Report

  Summary
  Consultation
  Lawfare
  National Security Objectives
  Job Creation, Export Opportunities and Australia's Competitive Advantage
  Regional Communities
  Policy Basis of the 43 per cent Target
  The Economic of Higher Power Bills
  Nuclear Energy
  Recommendation

The Nationals' Dissenting Report

  Regional impacts and inequality

Australian Greens' Additional comments

Senator Andrew Bragg's Additional comments

  Introduction
  1. How much is the cost of the transition?
  2.
  3.
  4. Outcomes not embroidery
  5. Value of policy certainty
  6. Transition fuels (gas)
  7. Nuclear
  Conclusion
  Recommendations

Senator David Pocock's Additional comments

  The need for emissions reduction targets with integrity
  Transparency on the impact of Federal Government Budget measures
  New or revised NDCs to be automatically reflected in legislation
  Regular reviews of progress
  The Minister’s annual statement
  Consequential amendments to Commonwealth legislation and agencies

Appendix 1—Submissions and additional information

Appendix 2—Public hearings and witnesses

Appendix 3—Organisations and specialists that support the bills

Committee Secretariat contact:

Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committees on Environment and Communications
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Phone: +61 2 6277 3526
ec.sen@aph.gov.au

About this inquiry

The bills would codify Australia’s 2030 and 2050 greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, provide for an annual statement in relation to the targets, embed the targets in the objectives and functions of relevant Commonwealth agencies, and empower the Climate Change Authority to provide advice to the Minister in relation to future targets.

The terms of reference are the provisions of the bills. 



Past Public Hearings

19 Aug 2022: Canberra
18 Aug 2022: Canberra

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