New climate change laws in Australia enters into force

This includes the Climate Change Act 2022 and the Climate Change (Consequential Amendments) Act 2022.

Two new laws providing for Australia’s plan to reduce carbon emissions have entered into force this month. 

The Climate Change Act 2022 and the Climate Change (Consequential Amendments) Act 2022 took effect on 13 September, according to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). 

These acts legislate Australia’s targets such as reducing emissions by 43% by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050. 

“Australia’s climate targets have now been written into law and achieving them will require close collaboration between Government, industry, and consumers.” ARENA CEO Darren Miller said.

“ARENA is ready to deliver on these goals, building on our ten-year experience in improving the competitiveness and supply of renewable energy technologies in Australia.”

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The Climate Change Act of 2022 expanded ARENA’s main object to include facilitating the achievement of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.

This is an addition to ARENA’s governing legislation, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency Act 2011, and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency Regulation 2016. 

“We’re excited by the challenge and the opportunity that these targets present and we look forward to playing an important role in helping Australia to achieve our medium and long-term emissions reduction goals,” he said.

ARENA has supported 628 projects with $1.86b in grant funding since 2012. It has helped unlock some $8.05b of total investment in renewable energy.