The rise of net zero conditions in planning and environmental approvals

Over recent years, there has been a tidal wave of governments and corporations committing to net zero emission targets. Now attention is turning to the immediate challenges faced by regulatory authorities and project proponents on how to achieve these net zero commitments, including the fundamental question of whether the commitments should be translated into planning and environmental approval conditions.

Australia's climate change policy development has been fractured and rudderless. The patchwork of sometimes conflicting policy and legislation at state, territory and Commonwealth levels, presents uncertainty for project proponents and provides little guidance for decision makers.