Climate Change 101: Scope 1, 2 And 3 Explained (Podcast)

As Group 2 entities commence their first reporting period under Australia's mandatory climate reporting regime, ASIC's early observations highlight key disclosure expectations and areas for caution.

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

Planning and environmental reforms are reshaping not just approval pathways, but where decision‑making power sits, how legitimacy is earned and how competing policy priorities collide in the delivery of Australia’s next wave of priority projects. The central challenge is no longer speed alone, but whether accelerated delivery can be sustained without undermining confidence, coordination and long‑term outcomes.

Australia's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 reforms continue to progress, with the commencement of further provisions and the introduction of four new National Environmental Standards.

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.

The second tranche of NSW planning law reforms commenced on 21 March 2026 and are already changing how councils manage development assessment. This second tranche of reforms place emphasis on councils and consent authorities to provide timely determinations, identify issues with applications and to provide clear communication with applicants.

The Clean Energy Investor Group has released a comprehensive report examining the implementation of Australia's reformed Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. What specific recommendations does the report make to ensure faster, more efficient environmental assessments while strengthening protection outcomes for renewable energy projects?

As Australia's data centre market accelerates to support AI infrastructure, organisations face mounting ESG challenges spanning energy demand, water constraints, planning frameworks and social licence.

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?

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