The Minister of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the
Environment (“DFFE”) recently
published a notice inviting consultation on her intention to
publish a National Guideline for Consideration of Climate
Change Implications in Applications for Environmental
Authorisations, Atmospheric Emission Licences and Waste Management
Licences (the “Guideline”). The
Guideline has been published in response to recent case law, which
suggests that climate change is a relevant consideration in certain
environmental related applications and decision-making
processes.
The Guideline is a recognition by the DFFE of the need to
integrate climate change impacts, both adaptation and mitigation,
into the early stages of development planning. According to the
Guideline, consistent consideration of climate change in
environmental impact assessments
(“EIAs”) will increase attention to
and awareness of greenhouse gas
(“GHG”) emissions, and stimulate
consideration of less emission
