Department of the Environment and Energy

Department of the Environment and Energy
Name	Department of the Environment and Energy
Type	Executive department
Formed	2016
Preceding1	Department of the Environment
Preceding2	Department of Industry, Innovation and Science
Jurisdiction	Commonwealth of Australia
Headquarters	Canberra
Minister	Minister for the Environment and Energy

Department of the Environment and Energy The Department of the Environment and Energy was an Australian executive department formed in 2016 to administer environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, climate policy, energy regulation and resource management. It operated within the machinery of the Australian public service alongside agencies such as the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency and the Bureau of Meteorology. The department interfaced with international frameworks like the Paris Agreement, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the International Energy Agency.

History

The department succeeded earlier entities including the Department of the Environment and components transferred from the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science after administrative reshuffles following the 2016 federal election and cabinet reorganization under the Turnbull Government. Its creation followed policy debates shaped by events such as the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference outcomes and controversies around the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards. The department's remit was influenced by environmental litigation including matters before the High Court of Australia and decisions under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. It coordinated responses to national disasters like the 2019–20 Australian bushfire season and engaged with state institutions including the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority and the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.

Functions and Responsibilities

The department's statutory responsibilities encompassed implementation of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, oversight of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme, administration of renewable initiatives linked to the Renewable Energy Target and interaction with energy market bodies like the Australian Energy Market Operator and the Australian Energy Regulator. It managed heritage listings registered under the World Heritage Convention such as the Great Barrier Reef and liaised with the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council on fire mitigation. The department also provided policy advice to ministers concerning Australia’s commitments under the Kyoto Protocol and the Montreal Protocol and coordinated with research bodies including the Australian Academy of Science and the Lowy Institute on science-policy translation.

Organizational Structure

Ministerial oversight was provided by the Minister for the Environment and Energy, supported by parliamentary secretaries and a Secretary heading divisions such as Biodiversity and Conservation, Climate Change, Energy and Resources, Heritage and Protected Areas, and Legal and Regulatory Services. Agencies and statutory bodies reporting to or funded by the department included the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. The department engaged advisory panels comprising institutions like the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, universities such as the Australian National University, and international partners including the United Nations Environment Programme.

Key Policies and Programs

Major programs administered included national biodiversity strategies reflecting provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity, reef protection plans for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, energy efficiency measures tied to the National Energy Productivity Plan, and emissions reporting under the National Greenhouse Accounts. It implemented funding rounds for the Renewable Energy Target and grant programs aligned with the Clean Energy Innovation Fund and collaborations with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. The department supported initiatives to reduce land clearing impacting sites such as the Daintree Rainforest and worked on invasive species programs referencing cases like the European red fox management and conservation actions for species including the Tasmanian devil, regent honeyeater, koala, northern hairy-nosed wombat and Leadbeater's possum.

Budget and Funding

Funding allocations were set through Budget Papers presented to the Parliament of Australia and appropriations determined by the Treasury (Australia), with budget decisions reflecting priorities in documents such as the Intergenerational Report and responses to economic events including the 2014 global oil price decline. Expenditure covered statutory programs, grants to state bodies like the Queensland Department of Environment and Science, capital works for research infrastructure at institutions such as the CSIRO and payments to statutory authorities including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. The department also managed funding linked to the Emissions Reduction Fund and coordinated financial instruments with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency and private investors.

Criticism and Controversies

The department faced criticism from environmental organizations such as Australian Conservation Foundation, World Wide Fund for Nature, Friends of the Earth and The Wilderness Society over perceived weaknesses in protecting the Great Barrier Reef and responses to coal mine approvals including cases referencing the Adani Carmichael coal mine. Legal challenges under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 brought by groups like the Humane Society International and litigants before the Federal Court of Australia highlighted tensions over species protection for the Greater Glider and approvals affecting the Gippsland region. Energy policy decisions attracted debate from stakeholders including the Australian Industry Group, the Business Council of Australia, renewable proponents such as Tesla, Inc. and research critics from the Grattan Institute. Internationally, scrutiny arose from parties to the Paris Agreement and environmental science critiques published in journals such as Nature and Science.

Category:Australian government departments