4 February 2008 - PAPER
RELEASED - The Australian Government is
a step closer to establishing a national
emissions trading scheme with the release
of a policy paper on mandatory corporate
reporting of energy and greenhouse gas emissions
data.
Minister for Climate
Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong said
the release of the National Greenhouse and
Energy Reporting System, Regulations Policy
Paper was the next important step in creating
a national framework for corporations to
report greenhouse gas emissions and actions
to reduce emissions.
“The new national reporting
system will provide the data needed to underpin
Australia’s national emissions trading scheme,
which is a major part of the Australian
Government’s commitment to action on climate
change,” Senator Wong said.
The policy paper outlines
proposed approaches to detailed reporting
requirements including the scope of data
subject to mandatory reporting, detailed
definitions of terms such as facilities
and emissions, registration and deregistration
information, as well as reporting requirements
for greenhouse gas offsets, and actions
to reduce or remove emissions.
“A new streamlined reporting
system will be good news for business. Moving
to a single system will cut duplication
in reporting and reduce the cost burden
currently imposed by the patchwork of separate
greenhouse and energy programs.
“It’s also welcome news
for the Australian community; providing
for the first time, public information on
the greenhouse and energy performance of
large companies across the Australian economy.”
Eligible Australian
corporations will be required to report
on their emissions and energy for the 2008-09
financial year, with the first reports submitted
by 31 October 2009.
“Consultation is a key
part of this process. I encourage interested
individuals and organisations to provide
feedback on the proposals presented,” Senator
Wong said.
Interested individuals
and organisations are asked to submit their
views on the proposals presented
in the policy paper by 27 February 2008.
Information sessions will also be held in
capital cities before the deadline for submissions.
For more information: http://www.climatechange.gov.au/reporting/index.html
John Olenich
