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Policies, measures and actions on climate change and
environmental protection in the context of COVID-19 recovery.

Australia

Last update 30 Mar. 2021

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How We Collected Data from Countries & Regions [PDF : 41KB] Opens in new window

Response
Emergency measures in the short term (a few months to one year) to address concerns that have directly emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic and may include forced action.
Recovery
Socioeconomic measures in the medium term (one to a few years) with an environmental and climate focus to “build back better” from COVID-19, and usually involves planned, intentional action.
Redesign
Paradigm shifts and measures in the long term (more than a few years to a few decades) toward redesigning current socioeconomic and sociocultural systems to be sustainable and resilient.

1.Climate mitigation measures

  • Technological innovation (digitalization / hydrogen/ CCUS‚ etc.)

    Recovery
    National Hydrogen Strategy: Development of a hydrogen certificate scheme; continuing to build international hydrogen partnerships and engagement; reviews of hydrogen use in Australian gas networks and hydrogen legal frameworks; commencement of a National Hydrogen Infrastructure Assessment; and continued support for pilots, trials and demonstrations.
    Reference https://www.industry.gov.au/news-media/national-hydrogen-strategy-priorities-and-deliveryOpens in new window
    Contact Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources

  • Technological innovation (digitalization / hydrogen/ CCUS‚ etc.)

    Recovery
    Technology Investment Roadmap: Implementation of Australia’s first Low Emissions Technology Statement and development of the second Statement to guide the Government’s low emissions technology investment portfolio.
    Reference https://consult.industry.gov.au/climate-change/technology-investment-roadmap/Opens in new window
    Contact Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources

  • Technological innovation (digitalization / hydrogen/ CCUS‚ etc.)

    Recovery
    Special Adviser on Low Emissions Technology: In January 2021, Dr Alan Finkel – Australia’s former Chief Scientist – was appointed as Special Advisor to the Australian Government on Low Emissions Technology. High level engagement to support Australia’s technology-driven emissions reduction strategy and expand collaboration on low emissions technology with trade and strategic partners.
    Contact Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources

  • Transition to renewable energy

    Recovery
    Snowy 2.0: Delivering the expansion of the Snowy Hydro Scheme with Snowy 2.0, to support the transition to reliable renewable energy.
    Reference https://www.energy.gov.au/sites/default/files/snowy_2.0-making_power_more_affordable_and_reliable.pdfOpens in new window
    Contact Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources

  • Transition to renewable energy

    Recovery
    Offshore renewable energy: Progressing development of a regulatory framework to enable the construction, operation and decommissioning of offshore renewable energy (including offshore wind farms) and associated infrastructure in Commonwealth waters; beyond three nautical miles from the coast out into Australia’s exclusive economic zone.
    Reference https://consult.industry.gov.au/offshore-exploration/offshore-clean-energy-infrastructure/Opens in new window
    Contact Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources

  • Technological innovation (digitalization / hydrogen/ CCUS‚ etc.)

    Recovery
    CCS: Continued support for a number of CCS demonstration projects, including: the CarbonNet Project, Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies Otway research facility and the National Geosequestration Laboratory.
    Reference https://www.industry.gov.au/funding-and-incentives/carbon-capture-storage-flagshipsOpens in new window
    Contact Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources

  • Sustainable transportation

    Recovery
    Vehicles: Development of a national strategy to enable choice for consumers across all types of future fuels, including for electric vehicles, hybrids and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
    Reference https://www.industry.gov.au/policies-and-initiatives/australias-climate-change-strategies Opens in new window
    Contact Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources

  • Transition to renewable energy

    Recovery
    Transmission: Support for the Marinus Link HVDC interconnector between Tasmania and Victoria, which will unlock a pipeline of investment in renewable energy and technology projects, further enabling the transition to reliable renewable energy.
    Reference https://arena.gov.au/projects/project-marinus-further-bass-strait-interconnection/Opens in new window
    Contact Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources

  • Transition to renewable energy

    Recovery
    Finance: Support through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to unlock investment in clean energy technologies.
    Reference https://arena.gov.au/Opens in new window
    https://www.cefc.com.au/Opens in new window
    Contact Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources

2.Climate adaptation measures

  • Adaptation planning

    Recovery
    Climate Compass: a climate risk management framework designed to help Australian public servants manage the risks from the changing climate to policies, programs and asset management. It includes step by step instructions, guidance and information to develop an understanding of climate change risks. Climate Compass builds on the best climate change adaptation research and science over the past decade. Climate Compass reflects the current leading practice in guidance for climate risk management and planning for long-term, uncertain, pervasive change.
    Reference https://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/1f56cd3f-dd0f-4f4e-9f14-66ceca36125b/files/climate-compass-climate-risk-management-framework-commonwealth-agencies.pdfOpens in new window
    Contact Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

  • Agr/food security

    Recovery
    National Landcare Program: 1 billion AUD National Landcare Program over six years to June 2023, contributes towards sustainable agricultural outcomes including improving soil, biodiversity and vegetation, and increasing the capacity of our farms to adapt to climate change and evolving market demands.
    Reference http://www.nrm.gov.auOpens in new window
    Contact Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

  • Agr/food security

    Recovery
    Future Drought Fund: The 5 billion AUD Future Drought Fund provides secure, continuous funding for drought resilience initiatives. It will help Australian farms and communities prepare for the impacts of drought.
    Reference https://www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/drought/future-drought-fundOpens in new window
    Contact Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

  • Others

    Recovery
    Emissions Reduction Fund: The Emissions Reduction Fund is a voluntary scheme that provides incentives for industry, businesses, land owners, state and local governments, and other organisations to adopt new practices and technologies to reduce emissions across the economy. Participants can earn Australian carbon credit units for every tonne of emissions reduced or stored through a project. Businesses can sell carbon credits to generate income, to the Australian government through an auction, and/or on the voluntary market. Some of the emissions reduction methods under the Fund encourage storing carbon in the landscape, for example through revegetation, reforestation and changed soil management practices. In Northern Australia, Indigenous land owners and pastoralists earn carbon credits by implementing better fire management in savanna landscapes. As at 31 December 2020, more than 88 million carbon credits had been issued to over 900 registered projects from across Australia.
    Reference https://publications.industry.gov.au/publications/climate-change/climate-change/government/emissions-reduction-fund.htmlOpens in new window
    Contact Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources

3.Cross-cutting measures

4.Other environmental measures

  • Measures related to ecosystem services / biodiversity / land use / agriculture

    Recovery Redesign
    Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 Review: The Final Report for the independent review of the EPBC Act has now been released, and the Government will work through the full detail of the recommendations with stakeholders. The Government is committed to reforming environmental approvals processes, which will enable enable Australian states and territories to carry out environmental assessments and approvals on behalf of the Australian Government. These new ‘single touch’ approvals will be underpinned by new National Environmental Standards. This commitment is supported by the National Cabinet.
    Reference https://minister.awe.gov.au/ley/media-releases/review-supports-reform-environmental-lawsOpens in new window
    Contact Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

  • Measures related to ecosystem services / biodiversity / land use / agriculture

    Response Recovery
    Investment in National Parks: $233 million investment into Parks Australia to deliver infrastructure upgrades across national parks and at the Australian National Botanic Gardens. New and improved infrastructure means more tourism, more jobs and better outcomes for Australians living in regional and remote areas to respond to the economic challenges of COVID
    Reference https://parksaustralia.gov.au/news/record-investment-in-parks-australia/Opens in new window
    New and improved infrastructure means more tourism, more jobs and better outcomes for Australians living in regional and remote areas, which is vital as we move through the economic challenges of COVID
    Contact Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

  • Waste management and Circular economy / sustainable production and consumption

    Response
    Relief for oil recovery sector: This initiative provided from 1 July 2020 to 31 December 2020 7.8 million AUD to temporarily increase the benefit paid to oil recyclers under the Product Stewardship Oil Scheme. This will initiative supported an industry severely affected by COVID-19, and supported the continued collection and re-refining of waste oil.
    Reference https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/mccormack/media-release/more-funding-support-australias-oil-recycling-industryOpens in new window
    Contact Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

  • Waste management and Circular economy / sustainable production and consumption

    Redesign
    Recycling Modernisation Fund: Australia's waste and recycling industry is being transformed by the Recycling Modernisation Fund (RMF) which will generate 600 million AUD of recycling investment from Australian Government, state and territory governments and industry investments.
    Reference https://www.environment.gov.au/protection/waste/how-we-manage-waste/recycling-modernisation-fundOpens in new window
    Contact Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

5.International Cooperation

  • Others

    Recovery
    Pacific engagement: Collaborative outreach and engagement with Pacific Island countries to communicate the key findings of the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report applicable to the region and highlight opportunities for action. The activity will be implemented in consultation with regional stakeholders, and delivered in partnership with the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, and the Australian National University.
    Contact Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

  • COVID19 recovery and climate change mitigation

    Response Recovery
    International Solar Alliance: DFAT is supporting the International Solar Alliance to expand its ISA Cares program into its Pacific member states. This program seeks to enhance healthcare centres' electricity access and the reliability of the supply by deploying solar energy solutions.
    Contact Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

  • COVID19 recovery and climate change mitigation

    Recovery
    Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases: The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) will Chair the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases from March 2021. DFAT is supporting ACIAR to use its term as Chair to deepen the GRA's engagement in the Indo-Pacific and enhance the region's agricultural productivity and resilience.
    Reference https://aciar.gov.au/Opens in new window
    Contact Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

  • COVID19 recovery and climate change adaptation

    Response Recovery
    Climate and Oceans Support Program in the Pacific: DFAT is investing in the Climate and Oceans Support Program in the Pacific (COSPPac), which supports collection, analysis and communication of climate, oceans and sea level data, including for key economic sectors. The program is now focussing on COVID recovery by applying rainfall forecasts to support planning in agriculture, water, infrastructure, and renewable energy. Rainfall and temperature predictions help farmers plan for planting and harvesting, and prepare for disasters like droughts and tropical cyclones. Ocean predictions (tide, currents, wind and waves) support community activities (e.g. fishing, tourism and shipping - e.g. route planning to minimise delays and fuel costs).
    Reference http://cosppac.bom.gov.au/Opens in new window
    Contact Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

  • COVID19 recovery and climate change adaptation

    Response Recovery
    Women’s Weather Watch through ActionAid in Vanuatu and FEMLINK in Fiji: DFAT is supporting Women’s Weather Watch through ActionAid in Vanuatu and FEMLINK in Fiji; a female-led early warning system for disasters and weather outlooks, which now disseminates health information to respond to COVID-19.
    Reference https://actionaid.org.au/articles/innovation-station-womens-weather-watch-fiji/Opens in new window
    Contact Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

  • COVID19 recovery and climate change mitigation

    Recovery
    Australia will invest at least 1.5 billion AUD over 2020 to 2025 as announced by the Prime Minister in 2020 to support developing countries to tackle climate change, a 50 percent increase on our previous pledge. This includes Australia’s 500 million AUD investment in the Pacific to support renewable energy deployment and climate and disaster resilience
    Australia has adopted a Climate Change Action Strategy to guide the integration of climate change through our development assistance program. It has three objectives:
    • support partner countries to adapt to climate change, and to plan, prepare for and respond to climate-related impacts
    • promote the shift to lower-emissions development in the Indo-Pacific region
    • support innovative solutions to climate change, including those that engage private sector investment.
    Australia’s development program has pivoted to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in accordance with Partnerships for Recovery: Australia’s COVID-19 Development Response.
    Reference https://www.dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/climate-change-action-strategyOpens in new window
    https://www.dfat.gov.au/publications/aid/partnerships-recovery-australias-covid-19-development-responseOpens in new window
    https://www.dfat.gov.au/international-relations/themes/climate-change/Pages/international-cooperation-on-climate-changeOpens in new window
    https://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/pacific/development-assistance/resilience-pacific-regionalOpens in new window
    Contact Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

  • COVID19 recovery and other environmental issues

    Recovery
    Australia provides core funding to the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). SPREP supports Pacific island countries to protect and improve their environment, and to ensure sustainable development for present and future generations. During COVID-19, SPREP is continuing to deliver services remotely through technical advice and support, until it is safe to conduct in-country consultations, program and project work.
    Reference https://www.sprep.org/Opens in new window
    Contact Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

  • COVID19 recovery and climate change mitigation

    Recovery
    Australia is investing in critical climate resilient infrastructure projects that will contribute to economic recovery in the Pacific by maximising local content and promoting local job creation. Our 2 billion AUD Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) will fund critical climate resilient infrastructure projects and already has renewable energy projects in the works (PNG Markham Valley solar plant; Solomon Islands Tina River hydropower transmission station).
    Reference https://www.aiffp.gov.au/Opens in new window
    Contact Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

  • Others

    Recovery
    Delivered through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Governance for Resilient Development in the Pacific (Gov4Res) is working with Pacific island governments to ‘risk-inform’ development financing and planning mechanisms so that countries can better ‘leverage’ development financing for climate-resilient development - which is increasingly important due to the economic impacts of COVID-19. The program has worked with Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu, and is now expanding to other countries.
    Reference https://www.pacific.undp.org/content/pacific/en/home/learnmore.html?tagid=topics%3Aclimate-change-and-drr%2Frisk-governanceOpens in new window
    Contact Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

  • COVID19 recovery and climate change adaptation

    Response Recovery
    Blue carbon programs: The Australian Government is delivering two blue carbon programs; one in Indonesia (2 million AUD) and one in the Pacific (6 million AUD) from 2019-2022. Both programs aim to:
    • advance protection and restoration of coastal blue carbon ecosystems for climate action
    • address barriers to blue carbon management
    • strengthen blue carbon expertise and data
    • support integration of blue carbon into national greenhouse gas accounting and climate policy, and
    • encourage public and private sector investment
    Contact Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources

  • COVID19 recovery and climate change adaptation

    Response Recovery
    Global Forest Observations Initiative: Australia plays a leading role in the Global Forest Observations Initiative (GFOI), a global partnership for coordinating the delivery of international support in forest monitoring to address developing country needs. Accurate measurements are the bedrock of effective forest policies supporting climate action.
    • Australia has led the development of comprehensive user-friendly methodological guidance since the GFOI’s inception in 2011. The recently-launched third edition of the Methods and Guidance Document (MGD), ensures the ability of countries to comply with the recent refinement of IPCC best practice, and all known UNFCCC reporting and transparency requirements.
    Reference  https://publications.industry.gov.au/publications/climate-change/climate-change/government/international/land-emissions.htmlOpens in new window
    Contact Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources

Other countries

How We Collected Data from Countries & Regions [PDF : 41KB] Opens in new window

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