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Climate Change

Climate Change

The EPHC is contributing to the effort to address climate change in a number of ways.

Wind Farms

At it’s meeting in Darwin on 5 July 2010, EPHC reinforced its commitment to stronger cooperation on National Wind Farm Development Guidelines.

Wind energy has the potential to deliver a significant proportion of Australia’s future electricity needs and contribute to national greenhouse gas abatement objectives. In light of the expected increase in wind farm development in coming years EPHC has prepared a set of draft National Wind Farm Development Guidelines which aim to outline best practice for industry and planning authorities in areas including, heritage, threatened species and turbine noise.
 
It is not the intention of these guidelines to be mandatory or change existing jurisdictional statutory processes, but to provide a basis for further consultation and consideration of the role of national guidelines in existing state approval processes.
 
The EPHC released the Guidelines for a period of twelve months, during which time jurisdictions will evaluate their effectiveness. This provides jurisdictions with the opportunity to assess how the draft Guidelines would be incorporated within their existing planning and development processes and to engage with key stakeholders.
 
The Working Group of Commonwealth and State officials will collate any suggested changes to the draft Guidelines recommended by jurisdictions after the consultation period and present the results to EPHC. 
 
The draft National Wind Farm Development Guidelines – July 2010 can be downloaded below. 

 

Environmental Guidelines for Carbon Dioxide Capture and Geological Storage 2009

 These Guidelines will promote a comprehensive and nationally consistent  approach to environmental assessment of carbon dioxide capture and storage in geological formations. They will assist states and territories to manage the environmental risks posed by this emerging technology, and will also assist the work of the newly launched Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute.  

Transport

Together with the Australian Transport Council, EPHC has provided advice to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) on measures to encourage the uptake of more fuel efficient and low emission passenger and light commercial vehicles and options for collaboration across governments on travel demand management.

 

Further information on climate change can be accessed at http://www.climatechange.gov.au

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