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| Climate Change Authority (Australia) | |
|---|---|
| Agency name | Climate Change Authority |
| Formed | 2012 |
| Dissolved | 2019 |
| Jurisdiction | Australia |
| Headquarters | Canberra |
Climate Change Authority (Australia) The Climate Change Authority was an independent statutory body established by the Parliament of Australia in 2012 to provide expert advice on climate change policy, emit greenhouse gas emissions, and international commitments. It produced analyses, inquiries, and recommendations to inform legislation such as the Clean Energy Act 2011, the Carbon Pricing Mechanism, and later emissions reduction frameworks. The Authority interfaced with agencies including the Department of the Environment and Energy, the National Archives of Australia, and international actors like the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The Authority operated as an expert advisory body under the Australian Public Service framework, delivering independent reviews on topics such as the Emissions Reduction Fund, renewable energy targets, and national greenhouse gas inventory methodologies. It engaged with stakeholders including state governments like the New South Wales Government, Victorian Government, and the Queensland Government, non-governmental organizations such as the Australian Conservation Foundation, the Climate Council (Australia), and industry groups like the Minerals Council of Australia. The Authority’s remit intersected with international initiatives including the Paris Agreement and regional forums like the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.
Created following political debates involving the Gillard Government, the Authority emerged in the aftermath of the repeal of the Renewable Energy Target amendments and shifts in policy after the 2013 Australian federal election. The concept drew on precedents such as the Garnaut Climate Change Review and advice from the Australian Academy of Science. Key legislative moments included passage through the Senate of Australia and administrative arrangements with the Prime Minister of Australia and the Treasurer of Australia. Its establishment occurred amid disputes involving figures linked to the Liberal Party of Australia, the Australian Labor Party, and environmental advocates like Tim Flannery.
Statutorily tasked to review emissions reduction targets, provide guidance on carbon markets, and assess climate-related economic impacts, the Authority issued guidance relevant to the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 and mechanisms akin to the European Union Emissions Trading System. It advised on targets consistent with international commitments under the United Nations and evaluated policy instruments including the Renewable Energy Target (Australia), the Emissions Reduction Fund, and hypothetical linkages to systems such as the California Cap-and-Trade Program. The Authority also produced technical guidance related to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change findings and assisted parliamentary committees like the Senate Environment and Communications References Committee.
Governance comprised a board of commissioners appointed by the Governor-General of Australia on advice of ministers including the Minister for the Environment. Commissioners were drawn from academia, industry, and public service with links to institutions such as the Australian National University, the University of Melbourne, and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. Administrative oversight connected with agencies like the Australian Public Service Commission. The Authority coordinated expert panels, convened technical working groups, and liaised with advisory bodies including the Climate Group and the Lowy Institute.
Notable outputs included recommendations on national emissions targets, advice on the Safeguard Mechanism (Australia), and reviews of the Renewable Energy Target (Australia). The Authority’s reports cited modelling comparable to studies by the Grattan Institute, the Productivity Commission (Australia), and international assessments such as those by the International Energy Agency. It presented findings to the Parliament of Australia, influenced debates in the House of Representatives, and submitted evidence to inquiries by entities like the Australian National Audit Office and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. Key reports addressed pathways consistent with the Paris Agreement temperature goals and options to reform market mechanisms similar to the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme.
The Authority’s advice intersected with policies enacted by administrations of leaders such as Julia Gillard, Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull, and Scott Morrison. Its work informed negotiations over international commitments at COP conferences and domestic implementations including the Emissions Reduction Fund and state-level schemes like the ACT Government’s renewable initiatives. The Authority engaged with stakeholder policy debates involving organizations like Beyond Zero Emissions, Australian Industry Group, and the Business Council of Australia.
The Authority faced critique from political actors including members of the Liberal Party of Australia and the National Party of Australia over perceived impacts on resource sectors represented by the Coal Association of Australia and the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association. Environmental groups such as the Australian Conservation Foundation and the Climate Council (Australia) sometimes called for stronger recommendations, while industry groups argued about economic modelling used by the Authority compared to analyses by the Productivity Commission (Australia). Funding and independence debates involved the Commonwealth Budget process and executive decisions by the Prime Minister of Australia, culminating in structural review and eventual abolition under later administrative arrangements.
Category:Climate change policy in Australia Category:Defunct Australian government agencies