Outcome 7: Climate Change
Reduction of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, adaptation to the impacts of climate
change, and contribution towards the negotiation of an effective global solution to climate
change, through the development and implementation of a national response to climate
change.
Main responsibilities for this outcome
Programme 7.1: Reducing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions
Repeal of the carbon tax.
Renewable Energy Target.
Renewables, Projections and
Governance Division
Renewable Energy Policy, including Solar Towns programme.
Emissions projections.
National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme policy.
Emissions Reduction Fund.
Emissions Reduction Fund
Taskforce
Carbon Farming Initiative policy.
International and Land
Division
Carbon Farming Initiative methodology development.
Domestic Offsets Integrity Committee secretariat.
National Greenhouse Accounts.
Land sector negotiations through the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Carbon Farming Skills Programme.
National Carbon Offset Standard and Carbon Neutral
Programme.
Indigenous Carbon Farming Fund—Research and
Development Stream.
Methodology Development Programme.
Global Forest Observation Initiative.
Monitoring, reporting and verification capacity building
programme.
System for Land-Based Emissions Estimation in Kenya
Programme.
National authority to assess applications from entities
participating in the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change clean development mechanism and joint
implementation.
National Carbon Accounting Toolbox.
Programme 7.2: Adapting to climate change
Australian Climate Change Science Programme.
Natural Resource Management Planning for Climate Change
(Stream 2).
Adaptation and Science
Division
Climate change adaptation policy.
Programme 7.1: Reducing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions
Objectives
Meet Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets while also supporting economic
growth by:

repealing the carbon tax

reducing emissions through the implementation of the Emissions Reduction Fund

encouraging the uptake of renewable energy through the Renewable Energy Target and
targeted policies and programmes

providing incentives to reduce emissions in the land sector through the Carbon
Farming Initiative

providing opportunities to reduce and offset emissions through the Carbon Neutral
Program.
Programme 7.2: Adapting to climate change
Objective
Build Australia’s capacity to manage climate risk through well-coordinated science and
research and through policy support for effective adaptation action.
Results for deliverables and key performance indicators
Programme 7.1: Reducing Australia’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Deliverables
2013–14 results
Develop and consult with
the community through both
the green and white papers
on the detailed design of the
Emissions Reduction Fund.
The Department managed extensive consultation with business
and the community to ensure the Emissions Reduction Fund is
designed and implemented effectively.
On 6 October 2013 the Government released the terms of
reference for the Emissions Reduction Fund. The Department
managed the receipt and analysis of over 290 submissions in
response.
The Department supported the Government in the development
of the Emissions Reduction Fund Green Paper, which was
released for public comment on 20 December 2013. The
Department received 345 written submissions in response. The
Department hosted a face-to-face information session on the
green paper on 3 February 2014 and four public teleconference
sessions across 4 and 5 February 2014.
The Department facilitated two meetings of the Government’s
Expert Reference Group comprising experts from business and
the non-government sector, and leading consultants.
The final design of the Emissions Reduction Fund was set out
in the Emissions Reduction Fund White Paper, which was
released on 24 April 2014.
The Department hosted face-to-face information sessions on
the white paper in Sydney on 14 May, Canberra on 15 May and
in Melbourne on 16 May 2014. The Department also hosted
two public teleconference sessions on 21 and 22 May 2014.
The Department held two technical working groups with
business, one on carbon abatement contracts and one on
reverse auctions, as part of the Emissions Reduction Fund
policy development process.
The Department also held a series of technical working group
meetings across a range of industry sectors to support the
development of new methodologies under the Emissions
Reduction Fund. In total, the Department facilitated 14 face-toface meetings and seven teleconferences on methods to the end
of June 2014.
Finalisation of legislative
amendments to implement
the Emissions Reduction
Fund, transition the Carbon
Farming Initiative and repeal
In consultation with the Treasury and other Commonwealth
agencies, the Department developed legislation to repeal the
carbon tax and make way for the Government’s Direct Action
Plan. The carbon tax repeal legislation was introduced as the
Government’s first item of legislative business in the 44th
the carbon tax legislation.
Parliament. The legislation was enacted on 17 July 2014.
On 9 May 2014 the Department released for public comment an
exposure draft of the Emissions Reduction Fund implementing
legislation. The comment period for the exposure draft legislation
closed on 23 May 2014, by which time the Department had
received 49 submissions.
On 20 May 2014 the Department held a workshop with a number
of law firms to receive feedback on the exposure draft of the
Emissions Reduction Fund legislation.
On 25 June 2014 the Carbon Farming Initiative Amendment Bill
2014 was passed by the House of Representatives.
Development of
methodologies under the
Emissions Reduction Fund.
The Department worked with business through six technical
working groups to identify key priorities for method
development.
Work commenced on the development of the following
methods which will be available for businesses to use in the
early stages of the Emissions Reduction Fund:
Contribution to the
Government’s 2014 review
of the Renewable Energy
Target.

a National Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reporting Facility
method

methods to cover the installation or expansion of systems
which capture waste coal mine gas

a method to cover emissions reductions from the transport
sector

three waste methods: landfill gas capture and flaring and/or
electricity generation; alternative waste treatment facilities;
and methane capture at waste water facilities

an industrial energy efficiency method

building energy efficiency methods, for use in commercial
buildings, small businesses and large groups of
households.
The Renewable Energy Target review, which was to be
finalised around mid-2014, is being supported by a secretariat
based in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
The Department provided funding and staff support to this
secretariat, which assisted it to:

process more than 800 general submissions and around
23 000 campaign submissions received as part of its
extensive consultation process

conduct around 90 face-to-face consultation meetings in
Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Hobart, Canberra and
Adelaide with key stakeholders

Development of
methodologies for the
Carbon Farming Initiative
and the Emissions
Reduction Fund.
commission modelling of the electricity sector and conduct
workshops with stakeholders on the modelling.
During 2013–14 the Domestic Offsets Integrity Committee
endorsed five new Carbon Farming Initiative methodology
proposals to be developed into Carbon Farming Initiative
determinations. These methodologies covered the livestock,
soil carbon and forestry sectors. They will be available for use
under the Emissions Reduction Fund.
The Department continued to provide secretariat support to the
Domestic Offsets Integrity Committee during 2013–14. The
Committee held nine face-to-face meetings and four
teleconferences in 2013–14. In addition to the five
endorsement decisions, the Committee requested further
information on five methodologies and released six
methodologies for public consultation. The Committee also
advised on five activities proposed for inclusion on the positive
list.
Provision of advice to the
Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade in support
of international negotiations
in relation to the land sector
and international accounting
rules.
The Department provided technical advice to the Department of
Foreign Affairs and Trade on land sector and inventory issues
to support Australia’s national interest objectives as part of the
Kyoto Protocol and in negotiations towards a post 2020 global
agreement.
Key performance indicators
2013–14 results
Timely legislative amendments to
amend the Carbon Farming Initiative
and repeal the carbon tax
legislation.
The carbon tax repeal Bills and Climate Change
Authority (Abolition) Bill 2013 were the first items of
legislative business in the 44th Parliament.
Timely development and delivery of
new methodologies under the
Carbon Farming Initiative and
Emissions Reduction Fund.
The Department worked on developing further land
sector methods for use under the Emissions Reduction
Fund, particularly in the following priority areas:
Emissions Reduction Fund legislation was introduced in
time for the commencement of the Emissions Reduction
Fund following the repeal of the carbon tax and is still
before the Senate.

increasing soil carbon

expanding opportunities for environment and
carbon sinks

reforestation

reducing emissions from beef cattle.
Work commenced on the development of new
methodologies covering a broad range of sectors
including the industrial sector, coal mining, transport,
waste, commercial buildings and households, which will
be available for use by business in the early stages of
the Emissions Reduction Fund.
Effective contribution to the 2014
review of the Renewable Energy
Target.
The Department funded the Renewable Energy Target
review and provided eight staff with experience in
renewable energy policy to assist the review secretariat.
The Methodology Development
Programme will expand
opportunities under the Carbon
Farming Initiative by supporting the
development of estimation
methodologies for new abatement
activities.
Under the Methodology Development Programme,
scheduled to close at the end of the 2014–15 financial
year, five projects are receiving total funding of $2.3
million over four years to develop methodologies and
estimation tools for new abatement activities. During
2013–14 these projects supported the development of
methodologies for the land sector, including for forestry,
agriculture and landfill.
The Indigenous Carbon Farming
Fund Research and Development
Stream is supporting Indigenous
participation in the Carbon Farming
Initiative through the development of
methodologies and tools that will
enable crediting of abatement
activities likely to have high
Indigenous participation.
Under the Indigenous Carbon Farming Fund Research
and Development Stream, five projects are receiving
total funding of $2.7 million over five years. These
projects, the last to be completed in 2017, are
developing methodologies involving fire management in
Australia’s northern savanna regions. All five projects
involve and are designed to benefit Indigenous
Australians.
Programme 7.2: Adapting to Climate Change
Deliverables
2013–14 results
Coordinate national science research
to ensure priority science activities
are delivered in an effective and
streamlined manner.
The Department worked with the High Level
Coordination Group for Climate Change Science to
develop a national portfolio of climate change science
projects in Australia.
The Department also provided input to the adaptation
component of Australia’s sixth national communication
to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change.
Support for effective collaboration
between climate scientists and
natural resource management
groups to deliver targeted information
on climate impacts and adaptation for
regional planning.
Through the Regional National Resource Management
Planning for Climate Change Fund the Department
supported collaboration between climate scientists and
natural resource management groups.
Under Stream 2 of the fund, scientists worked with
regional natural resource management organisations to
develop projects that addressed their decision-making
needs and priority issues, and that delivered information
for natural resource management planning processes.
Provision of policy advice on climate
adaptation.
The Department provided policy advice across a range
of climate change adaptation issues.
The Department’s policy input was underpinned by
consultation with community organisations, the business
sector and all tiers of government. Workshops were held
in late 2013 and early 2014 with experts and state and
local governments around Australia to explore
adaptation priorities across the key sectors of
infrastructure, emergency management, vulnerable
communities, settlements, water, ecosystems and
agriculture.
Provision and coordination of welltargeted advice and practical
guidance to decision makers on
climate adaptation.
In conjunction with Geoscience Australia, the
Department supported climate adaptation decision
makers by providing technical guidance to improve
management of shoreline recession from sea level rise.
Key performance indicators
2013–14 results
Timely, high-quality, robust,
evidence-based advice that meets
ministerial expectations and informs
Government decisions.
The Department prepared briefings to advise the
Minister and senior officials on a range of matters.
Well-targeted information on climate
projections that meet the needs of
government, business and
communities.
The Department supported research and development
of up-to-date climate change projections for Australia
through Stream 2 of the Regional Natural Resource
Management Planning for Climate Change Fund.
Preliminary results from the projections were shared
with natural resource management partners during
2013–14.
Significant progress was made on a new and improved
web portal which will enable free and easy access to
national and regional projections information and data.
Guidance and training materials were developed to
assist users of the projections in planning and risk
assessments when the results are released in the
coming year.
Effective administration of the Natural
Resource Management Planning for
Climate Change Fund (Stream 2)
with timely delivery of information on
climate change impacts and
adaptation.
The Department managed and progressed the aims of
the Regional Natural Resource Management Impacts
and Adaptation Grants Programme. All nine projects
under the programme have consulted with natural
resource management groups in their regions to help
the regions include impacts of future climate into
planning processes.
The Department successfully managed and progressed
the development and delivery of regional climate change
projections. This included the development of a new and
improved web portal, a technical projections report,
eight regional reports outlining regional climate
projections and a number of communication brochures.
The projections will be publicly released in late 2014.