Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 23 NOVEMBER 2021

Can Australia transition to a low-carbon economy?

Holding Redlich
Holding Redlich
Contributor
Holding Redlich

Holding Redlich

Holding Redlich is a large national commercial firm with offices in Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney,...

View firm profile
Explore more from Holding Redlich

This session highlighted the importance of greater policy leadership and expectations within the business community.

AustraliaEnvironment
David Harley
David Harley
Harriet White
Harriet White
Author LinkedIn connections

In September, Holding Redlich partner David Harley had the privilege of moderating an exciting panel discussion hosted by the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce (FACCI) on the opportunities and challenges presented by Australia's transition to a low-carbon economy. David was joined by Richard Kirkman, CEO and Managing Director at Veolia Australia and New Zealand, Melinda Cilento, CEO of the Committee for Economic Development of Australia, and Pascal Sefrin, Group Country Head for Australia at Société Générale. 

The session kicked off with a keynote presentation from the Honourable Matt Kean MP, NSW Minister for Energy and Environment, who spoke about the need for action on climate change and those policies and plans being put in place in NSW, before moving into opening remarks from Richard Kirkman at Veolia and then the broader panel discussion. The discussion broadly covered three key themes - the opportunities, the challenges, and the role of

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

EPBC Act Reforms: Consultation On Proposed Regulations To Support Final Tranche Of Reforms

Australia's Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has released consultation papers outlining the regulatory framework for the final phase of environmental protection reforms under the EPBC Act. With submissions closing on 13 October 2026 and implementation scheduled for 1 December 2026, these reforms will fundamentally reshape how projects are assessed and approved, introducing streamlined pathways...
AustraliaEnvironment
Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Podcast

Corrs High Vis: Episode 62 - Power, Planning & Data Centres - Inside NSW’s New Guidelines (Podcast)

The NSW Government has released a comprehensive data centre policy framework establishing new guidelines for electricity network connections, planning approvals, and environmental standards. These reforms require data centres to contribute to network infrastructure costs, procure renewable energy, and demonstrate demand flexibility while offering streamlined approval pathways for compliant projects.
AustraliaEnvironment
Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Article

New South Wales–No Shortcuts On Scope 3: High Court Puts Scope 3 Emissions Back On The Table For Resource Projects

The High Court of Australia has ruled that NSW planning authorities must consider Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions when assessing resource and energy development applications. In a landmark 3:2 decision, the Court invalidated approval for the Mount Pleasant coal mine extension, establishing that consent authorities cannot fulfill their climate change obligations by examining only Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.
AustraliaEnvironment
K&L Gates
K&L Gates
Article

UN Special Rapporteur On The Human Right To A Clean, Healthy, And Sustainable Environment Intervenes In Proceedings In An Australian First

The UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Right to a Clean, Healthy, and Sustainable Environment has made history by intervening in Australian Federal Court proceedings challenging the extension of Woodside's North West Shelf gas project until 2070. The intervention raises critical questions about how international environmental law obligations should inform the interpretation of Australia's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, particularly regarding climate change impacts and heritage
AustraliaEnvironment
Jones Day
Jones Day
Article

The High Court, Scope 3 GHG Emissions And What It Means For Development Applications

The High Court of Australia has delivered a landmark judgment on greenhouse gas emissions in mining development applications, examining whether consent authorities must consider conditions to minimize Scope 3 emissions. The case centers on a judicial review of the Mount Pleasant coal mine expansion approval, where the Independent Planning Commission imposed conditions on Scope 1 and 2 emissions but not on Scope 3 emissions that represented 98% of the project's total emissions.
AustraliaEnvironment
Holding Redlich
Holding Redlich
Article

Australia Begins Public Consultation On Draft Evaluation Statement On The Use And Introduction Of PFAS

Australia's Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme has released a draft evaluation statement revealing which of the 522 PFAS chemicals listed on the Australian Inventory are actually being imported or manufactured in the country, their volumes, and their uses. The evaluation identifies 139 PFAS being introduced, with most used in lubricants, paints, and adhesives, while proposing to prioritize trifluoroacetic acid for risk assessment and add notification requirements for certain PFAS before commercial
AustraliaEnvironment
Bergeson & Campbell
Bergeson & Campbell
Article

Digital Duty Of Care: What Australian Businesses Need To Know

The Australian Government's proposed digital duty of care reforms would extend online safety obligations far beyond social media platforms to encompass any business operating websites, digital platforms, or AI-enabled tools. Rather than simply responding to complaints, businesses would need to proactively identify foreseeable risks and implement safeguards, with substantial penalties for non-compliance reaching up to $109.2 million for companies. The exposure draft introduces a fundamental shift from reacti
AustraliaPrivacy
Holding Redlich
Holding Redlich
Article

Update On Status Of Key Tax Measures Announced In Budget 2026-27

Australia's 2026-27 Budget introduces sweeping changes to capital gains tax, negative gearing, and discretionary trust taxation, fundamentally reshaping decades of established tax policy. The Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Act 2026 has now received Royal Assent, but significant controversy surrounds key provisions including the new 30% minimum tax on discretionary trusts and restrictions on corporate beneficiaries. How will these reforms affect existing trust structures, investment strategies, a
AustraliaTax
Holding Redlich
Holding Redlich
Article

Fair Work Commission Releases New AI Guidance And Warns Against Blind Reliance On AI

The Fair Work Commission has introduced new guidance requiring parties to disclose their use of generative AI in proceedings, following a 70% surge in workload attributed to AI-generated applications. A recent case demonstrates the consequences of blind reliance on AI tools, with one applicant ordered to pay costs after continuing a jurisdictionally flawed claim despite repeated warnings from the Commission.
AustraliaEmployment and HR
Holding Redlich
Holding Redlich
Article

Victoria’s New Data Centre Rules – Implications For Developers And Operators

Victoria's new Sustainable Data Centre Action Plan introduces comprehensive planning, renewable energy, and community benefit requirements for data centre developments. The regulations establish location restrictions, noise limits, renewable energy mandates, and water supply requirements while creating new referral authorities to oversee compliance. These changes will significantly impact how developers and operators plan and execute data centre projects in Victoria's rapidly expanding market.
AustraliaMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment
Holding Redlich
Holding Redlich
Article

Automated Decision-Making: New OAIC Guidance Highlights Expectations For Government Agencies

Australian government agencies face a December 2026 deadline to update their privacy policies with detailed explanations of automated decision-making systems. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner's new guidance clarifies when computer-assisted decisions trigger disclosure obligations, how human oversight affects those requirements, and what specific information agencies must reveal about the personal data and decision types involved in their automated processes.
AustraliaGovernment, Public Sector
Holding Redlich
Holding Redlich
Article

OAIC Guidance And How Private Sector Organisations Can Prepare

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner has released guidance on new automated decision-making transparency requirements under the Privacy Act, commencing 10 December. Private sector organisations using AI-enabled products, recruitment technologies, fraud detection tools, pricing algorithms and other data-driven systems must now assess whether their automated systems trigger disclosure obligations in privacy policies.
AustraliaPrivacy
Holding Redlich
Holding Redlich
Article

Federal Budget 2026-27: Three Tax Changes Reshaping Investment, Trust Structures And Business Planning

Australia's 2026-27 Federal Budget introduces sweeping tax reforms that fundamentally reshape investment planning, trust structures, and business operations. The replacement of the 50% CGT discount with indexed gains and a 30% minimum tax, restrictions on negative gearing to new builds only, and a 30% minimum tax on discretionary trusts create unprecedented challenges for property investors, professional services firms, and family businesses. Understanding how these three interconnected measures work togeth
AustraliaTax
Holding Redlich
Holding Redlich