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47 results
Tackling Australia’s Coal Mine Methane Problem
This report by Ember analyzes the scale of coal mine methane (CMM) emissions in Australia, arguing that official figures are significantly underreported and that these emissions pose a major threat to Australia's 2030 climate targets. The document highlights the disparity between government estimates and satellite data, particularly in the Bowen Basin, and examines the impact of proposed new coal mines in Queensland and New South Wales. It recommends a transition to direct measurement, the implementation of methane abatement technologies like VAM oxidation, and the phasing out of coal, starting with the highest-emitting mines.
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Document type: Report
How Australia is Decarbonizing Its Premium Commercial Buildings: A Story of Ambition Loops
This case study examines how Australia became a global leader in decarbonizing premium commercial buildings through 'ambition loops'—positive feedback cycles involving government regulation, industry leadership, and market demand. It highlights the roles of the Victoria and New South Wales governments, the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC), and transparency tools like NABERS in driving sector-wide climate goals.
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Document type: Case study
The Limits of Livability
This briefing from the Global Climate and Health Alliance examines the public health threats posed by bushfire smoke in Australia, specifically focusing on the 2019-20 'Black Summer' fires. It highlights the gap between emergency fire response and the lack of preparation for prolonged smoke exposure, while advocating for the integration of Indigenous fire management and a transition away from fossil fuel subsidies to mitigate future climate-driven wildfire risks.
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Document type: Briefing
Statement to Davos Summit on Australian Bushfires, Health and Climate Change
A statement by the Climate and Health Alliance (CAHA) and Global Health and Climate Alliance (GCHA) addressed to the World Economic Forum in Davos, calling for urgent Australian government action on climate change following the devastating bushfires in South East Australia.
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Document type: Statement
Green Bond Fact Sheet
This fact sheet details a certified green loan issued by Elliot Green Power in December 2018 to finance and refinance three solar farms in Australia.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Gloucester Resources Limited v Minister of Planning
The New South Wales Court of Appeal upheld the Minister of Planning's decision to refuse the Rocky Hill Coal Project proposed by Gloucester Resources Limited, citing significant negative impacts on land use, society, and the climate.
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Document type: Case study
Green Bond Fact Sheet
Pepper Group issued green RMBS tranches totaling EUR110m and AUD75m on December 6, 2018, to fund green mortgages. Eligibility is based on building energy performance, targeting the top 15% of the market using specific building codes and standards in New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania, with these criteria serving as a proxy for other Australian regions.
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Document type: Fact sheet
2018-11-20au-20new-20south-20wales-20treasury-20corporation-6090854eba955216.pdf
This fact sheet from the Climate Bonds Initiative details a green bond issuance by the New South Wales Treasury Corporation on November 15, 2018, totaling AUD 1.8 billion (USD 1.3 billion) with a five-year tenor.
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Document type: Fact sheet
The Carbon-Free Regions Handbook: Finance
The Carbon-Free Regions Handbook: Finance is a guide for regional governments on organizing and delivering financial solutions to enable low-carbon transitions. It outlines strategies for increasing capital availability, overcoming up-front costs, creating market incentives, and reducing procurement costs for clean energy assets.
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Document type: Guide
The Carbon-Free Regions Handbook: Buildings
The Carbon-Free Regions Handbook: Buildings provides a framework for regional governments to reduce emissions in the building sector, which contributes nearly one-third of global emissions. It recommends three primary actions: establishing net-zero codes for new buildings, mandating energy efficiency upgrades for existing buildings, and requiring utilities to implement energy-savings programs through energy efficiency resource standards (EERS).
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Document type: Guide
CASE STUDY IGF Guidance For Governments: Leveraging Local Content Decisions for Sustainable Development
This case study examines Australia's historical attempts to develop a domestic steel industry through government intervention, protectionism, and downstream beneficiation requirements, ultimately highlighting the challenges of maintaining global competitiveness after protective measures are removed.
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Document type: Case study
Flood risk in Australia: whose responsibility is it anyway?
This research paper examines the perceptions of roles and responsibilities among four key stakeholders in Australian flood risk management: local councils, the insurance industry, the State Emergency Service (SES), and local residents.
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Document type: Research paper
Divergent Approaches: Greenhouse gas mitigation in Canada and Australia
This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) compares the greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation strategies of Canada and Australia as of November 2012. It contrasts Australia's unified national carbon pricing approach with Canada's decentralized, sector-by-sector regulatory framework, analyzing the political risks, subnational dynamics, and estimated regulatory costs associated with each model.
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Document type: Policy brief
Lessons for Canada: Implementation of Australia’s Carbon Pricing Mechanism
This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes the implementation of Australia's Clean Energy Future carbon pricing mechanism. It details the scheme's structure, including its transition from a fixed-price period to a cap-and-trade system, the associated compensation measures for industry and households, and the resulting impacts on subnational policies. The document highlights lessons for Canada, specifically regarding the importance of robust emissions reporting and the risks of locking in fixed prices amidst volatile international markets.
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Document type: Policy brief
AN ANALYSIS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW, NATIONAL LEGISLATION, JUDGEMENTS, AND INSTITUTIONS AS THEY INTERRELATE WITH TERRITORIES AND AREAS CONSERVED BY INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES
This report analyzes the legal, institutional, and legislative frameworks governing Indigenous peoples' conserved territories and areas conserved by Indigenous peoples and local communities (ICCAs) in Australia. It details the pathways to Indigenous land ownership, the mechanisms for joint management of national parks, and the emergence of Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs). The document examines the intersection of national laws—such as the Native Title Act 1993—with international human rights standards and provides case studies on specific conservation models.
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Document type: Report
Information tools for energy demand reduction in existing residential buildings
This report evaluates information tools used to reduce energy demand in existing residential buildings, specifically focusing on thermal retrofits in Germany and internationally. It categorizes tools into three groups: those that raise awareness of benefits (e.g., detailed billing, smart meters, local leadership programs), those that assist in planning and investment (e.g., energy audits, online tools), and those that train professionals (e.g., certification schemes). Key findings indicate that normative feedback in billing and peer-to-peer networks are cost-effective, while the effectiveness of smart meters depends heavily on user education. The report emphasizes that the quality and independence of professional advice are critical for homeowner trust and investment decisions.
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Document type: Report
BIOFUELS – AT WHAT COST?
This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the extent and cost-effectiveness of government support for the ethanol and biodiesel industries in Australia. It analyzes various subsidies, including excise tax rebates, capital grants, and research funding, concluding that the level of assistance is high relative to other industries and often fails to deliver cost-effective greenhouse gas reductions or energy security compared to alternative policy options.
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Document type: Report
Environment and Sustainable Development Policy Development in K–12 Schools in Manitoba and Canada
This report explores the development of environment and sustainable development (ESD) policies in K–12 schools in Manitoba and across Canada. It identifies three primary approaches to policy development: government-led "whole school" initiatives, independent certification and award programs, and individual school district policy development. The document highlights a gap between the advanced sustainability policy frameworks in the tertiary education sector and the more sporadic, often fragmented approach in K–12 education, particularly in Manitoba where many schools act without district-level mandates.
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Document type: Report
Market Mechanisms for Sustainable Development: How Do They Fit in the Various Post-2012 Climate Efforts?
This 2007 IISD report analyzes the compatibility of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and other market mechanisms for sustainable development (MMSD) with various proposed post-2012 climate regimes. It identifies that while the current project-based CDM works in regimes with differentiated targets, it would be incompatible with a system where all countries have binding targets. In such cases, the report suggests a shift toward Joint Implementation (JI)-style mechanisms or 'expanded CDM' models that include sectoral and policy-based crediting. The report emphasizes the need to balance the developed world's demand for low-cost, additional credits with the developing world's need for sustainable development dividends and equitable access to investment.
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Document type: Report
Why Build Green? Case Studies
This RMI fact sheet presents several case studies of green building projects across residential, commercial, and urban redevelopment sectors, highlighting the economic and environmental benefits of sustainable design, such as energy savings, increased property value, and reduced marketing costs.
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Document type: Fact sheet