311
D.3
Climate Change Adaptation Policy/Strategy Framework
Title
Responsible
Authority/ Minister
Description/Purpose
Relevance to Western Region
Securing a Clean
Energy Future – The
Australian
Government’s Climate
Change Plan 2011
Australian
Government
Key components of the Government’s plan for a Clean Energy Future:
x
Putting a price on carbon - around 500 of the biggest polluters in Australia will be required to pay for their
pollution under the carbon pricing mechanism. Liable businesses will need to buy and surrender to the
Government a permit for every tonne of pollution they produce. In the fixed price stage, that runs from 1 July
2012 to 30 June 2015, the carbon price will start at $23 per tonne and rise by 2.5 per cent a year in real terms.
From 1 July 2015 onwards, the price will be set by the market and the number of permits issued by the
Government each year will be capped. If businesses can lower their pollution, the price they pay will be less.
x
Establishment of the Climate Change Authority to advise on pollution caps and progress towards meeting
targets and undertake reviews of the carbon pricing mechanism.
x
Establishment of the Clean Energy Regulator to administer the carbon pricing mechanism.
x
Household assistance - Income tax cuts, increased family payments and pension rises
x
Support for jobs - Jobs and Competitiveness Program, Clean Technology Program and Coal Sector Jobs
Package
x
Support for energy markets - Energy Security Fund
x
Clean energy - Clean Energy Finance Corporation and Australian Renewable Energy Agency
x
Energy efficiency - Low Carbon Communities and Small business support
x
Land sector – Carbon Farming Initiative and Biodiversity Fund
National policy and programs
which will apply to the Western
Region. Although the focus of the
plan is not adaptation there are a
number of programs and
mechanisms established under
the Clean Energy Future Plan
which will assist businesses and
the community to transition to a
low-carbon economy. There may
be businesses in the Western
Region liable under the carbon
price scheme.
National Climate
Change Adaptation
Framework 2007
COAG
COAG endorsed the National Climate Change Adaptation Framework at their meeting on 13 April 2007 as the basis
for jurisdictional actions on adaptation over the next five to seven years. The framework includes possible actions to
assist the most vulnerable sectors and regions, such as agriculture, biodiversity, fisheries, forestry, settlements and
infrastructure, coastal, water resources, tourism and health to adapt to the impacts of climate change. In 2007 the
Commonwealth commitment of up to $26 million to establish and manage the Australian Centre for Climate Change
Adaptation and $100 million program funding over five years.45
National policy
Adapting to Climate
Change in Australia
Position Paper 2010
DCCEE
Adapting to Climate Change in Australia outlines the Australian Government’s approach to climate change
adaptation. It identifies provision of information to the public, appropriate regulatory arrangements and climate
change consideration in decision making as the key components. With funding of up to $126 million, the Australian
Government's Climate Change Adaptation Program is aimed at achieving better understanding and management of
risks linked to climate change. The Australian Government recognises the coastal zone as a priority area for
adaptation action and introduced the Caring for our Coasts commitment, including the national coastal risk
assessment.
National policy
National Urban Policy
Australian
Government
The policy establishes a national framework to guide policy development and public and private investment in cities
and sets a vision for cities to deliver future prosperity and wellbeing, and to ensure cities are globally competitive,
productive, sustainable, liveable, socially inclusive and well placed to meet future challenges and growth.
The policy provides direction regarding climate change adaptation, specifically:
Nation-wide policy. Directions to
be adopted by States and
articulated in metropolitan-wide
planning strategies.
45
