Climate Change And ESG Litigation Trends In The Consumer Sector (Podcast)

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...

New South Wales has introduced comprehensive Data Centre Guidelines to manage the rapid growth of data centre investment while addressing resource, environmental and community impacts. The framework establishes six core principles with 17 performance measures covering energy efficiency, water usage, consumer cost protection, renewable energy commitments and community benefits.

On May 22, 2025, the EU Commission adopted an implementing regulation to the EU's Deforestation Regulation ("EUDR") in which it identified the risk classification of countries...

Our monthly ESG bulletin provides a targeted snapshot of key developments we see as reflecting the “must know” trends in the Australian market and, where relevant, the international market.

The State Development and Public Works Organisation (Critical Minerals) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 (the Bill) has passed the Queensland Parliament.

Australia's mandatory climate-related disclosure regime requires certain companies to prepare sustainability reports alongside financial reports starting from 2025.

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.

As the first wave of disclosures has wrapped up, attention has turned to the next climate reporting cycles - particularly for June and September year-end companies. The question now is: what lessons can organisations take forward?

Australia's Environment Protection Reform Act 2025 introduces mandatory greenhouse gas emissions disclosure requirements for projects requiring federal environmental approval, while establishing the National Environmental Protection Agency as the new federal environmental regulator. Despite extensive debate, the reforms stopped short of implementing a "climate trigger" that would have made significant emissions a standalone matter of national environmental significance.

Noise restrictions are regulations or laws that limit the amount of noise in a specific area or at a specific time.