Climate change
Welcome to ALGA's climate change policy and research area. Environmental management is a core function for local government. Environmental protection is a key role for local government in Australia. The responsibilities of councils across Australia, vary across jurisdictions, and reflect differences in under state and territory legislative and regulatory frameworks. State and territory local government associations deal with state and territory governments on state specific issues.
Addressing climate change is one of the greatest imperatives that Australia and the world confront as we move further into the 21st century. Local government activities that are likely to be directly impacted by climate change include planning future developments and road infrastructure, which will be affected by sea level and water table rises and storm surges. There will also be impacts on natural resources, health and building regulations and community infrastructure and services.
For well over a decade local government has advocated and worked collaboratively with governments and local and regional communities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a range of programs and initiatives nationally and internationally.
ALGA has a vital interest in climate change policy. ALGA works closely with the Australian Government Departments and State Ministers and officials on major initiatives through the Council of Australian Government (COAG) and other relevant intergovernmental forums. Further details of the work of COAG can be found at www.coag.gov.au
ALGA also makes submissions to the Australian Government on major initiatives to address climate change.
CPRS
Emissions Trading Schemes (ETS) / Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS)
Throughout 2008 the Australian Government conducted consultations on the form and design of the preferred ETS for Australia and in 2009 agreed on the establishment of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS).
Given the importance of the CPRS, ALGA, in collaboration with state and territory local government associations, commissioned Deacons to provide advice on its potential implications for local government nationally. Based on this advice ALGA prepared a number of submissions to the Government on the CPRS and successfully negotiated amendments to the scheme that would limit the impact of the CPRS on council operations, particularly in relation to the management of landfills, and to make the scheme more practical. The Government also gave undertakings to consult with ALGA on the technical details related to the landfills covered under the scheme, in particular the ‘prescribed distance rule’, prior to the development of the regulations for the scheme.
Throughout this process ALGA also worked to ensure that ALGA's position was understood and supported by the Federal Opposition which, until the change of leadership of the Liberal Party, supported the CPRS with amendments. On this basis, ALGA was generally comfortable with the technical details of the CPRS legislation and its amendments and felt that if the legislation was passed by Parliament local government's interests would have been considered and that further opportunities to refine the regulations would be available.
- ALGA Submission on CPRS Legislation Package
- Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) submission on the draft Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) legislation, urges the Government to make changes to the treatment of waste under the proposed CPRS.
- Deacons CPRS Legislation Briefing Paper
- A Council with operational control over a landfill that has emissions exceeding 25,000 tonnes of CO2-e per financial year will be a liable entity under the CPRS, and will be required to purchase and surrender eligible emissions units to the Authority by 15 December after the relevant financial year.
- ALGA CARBON POLLUTION REDUCTION SCHEME
- The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) is the peak national body for local government in Australia. ALGA is a Federation of state and territory local government associations and represents the interests of 569 councils across the country. Since 2001, membership has included the Government of the Australian Capital Territory (unique in Australia as it combines both state and local government functions).
- Deacons Research Paper on National Greenhouse Measures
- On 1 July 2008, the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting System (NGERS) commenced. The NGERS regulatory framework is underpinned by the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 (Cth) (NGER Act) as well as regulations and determinations made under the Act. It is intended to provide a national approach to the collection of information on greenhouse gas emissions and energy use and production.
