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This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the process of mine relinquishment—the legal transfer of responsibility for a closed mine site from the operator to a government or new landowner. It identifies a global gap in clear relinquishment policies and proposes a six-step framework to help governments manage residual risks and ensure sustainable post-mining land use.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides a framework for governments to implement the 'restitution' of closed mine sites. Restitution is defined as the legal transfer of responsibility from the mine operator to a subsequent landowner after closure activities are completed and approved. The document identifies systemic gaps in global policies, where sites often remain indefinitely with operators or are transferred without adequate funding for long-term monitoring. It proposes a six-step policy process: requiring comprehensive closure plans, conducting independent inspections, establishing residual risk management plans, creating funding mechanisms, executing legal transfers, and implementing long-term monitoring.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) outlines policy steps for governments to manage the relinquishment of closed mine sites—the legal transfer of responsibility from the operator to a new owner or the state. Analyzing over 40 jurisdictions, it finds a global lack of clear relinquishment frameworks. It highlights successful models in Saskatchewan, Queensland, and Chile, and recommends a six-step process involving comprehensive closure plans, independent verification, residual risk assessment, and dedicated long-term funding mechanisms to ensure environmental stability and sustainable land reuse.

This submission by Ember to the Climate Change Authority (CCA) recommends an ambitious approach to measuring and mitigating coal mine methane emissions in Australia. Ember argues that current reporting is significantly underestimated and that a combination of increased federal regulation, a national methane action plan, and a phased production phaseout of fossil fuels is necessary to meet 1.5C pathways and net zero by 2050.

This research briefing by Ember evaluates the estimated Scope 1 methane emissions of the Lake Vermont Meadowbrook Extension Project. Ember argues that the project's Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) significantly underestimates methane emissions, potentially threatening the Safeguard Mechanism and the climate targets of the Australian and Queensland governments.

Ember's submission to the Australian government argues that the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme (NGERS) relies on inadequate state-based emissions factors for Queensland open cut coal mines. The document recommends phasing out 'Method 1' in favor of direct measurement and multi-input models to accurately capture methane variability and super-emitting events.

This report describes an Excel-based cost-benefit analysis (CBA) model developed by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA). The model is designed to evaluate 'betterment' road infrastructure projects in Queensland, Australia, by quantifying not only direct avoided reconstruction costs but also indirect social, economic, and environmental 'non-road' benefits to determine the total societal value of resilience investments.

This case study by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) legal frameworks in mining, focusing on California (USA), Kazakhstan, and Queensland (Australia). It identifies ten key components of a strong ESIA framework and analyzes how these three jurisdictions implement and improve their respective systems to meet sustainability goals.

Ember provides feedback to Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water regarding 15 coal mine proposals, arguing that their approval would significantly increase coal mine methane (CMM) emissions and hinder Australia's ability to meet international climate targets.

Ember provides feedback to the New South Wales (NSW) Environment Protection Authority (EPA) regarding its draft Climate Change Policy and Action Plan 2022-2025. The submission argues for a specific focus on coal mine methane (CMM) emissions, proposing new actions to improve measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) and to implement mitigation strategies to align with international targets and the Global Methane Pledge.

The report by Ember outlines a pathway for Australia to significantly reduce annual methane emissions from coal mines by 2030. It argues that coal mine methane (CMM) mitigation is a cost-effective and rapid way to meet climate targets, potentially reducing Australia's total annual methane emissions by 18% by 2030.

This case study details a petition filed by eight Torres Strait Islanders and six children against the Australian government to the United Nations Human Rights Committee, alleging that Australia's failure to address climate change violated their fundamental human rights under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

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.

The 247Solar project in Queensland, Australia, implements a hot-air-driven Brayton Cycle system to provide baseload clean electricity for a mining operation and a local aboriginal community. With an estimated demand of 8 MW, the plant will cover 100% of the mine's needs and 50% of the community's needs, reducing the carbon footprint by 90% and energy costs by 25%. The project is funded by the Australian Federal Government (ARENA) and the Queensland State Government, and it aims to create approximately 350 local jobs.

A case study on an off-grid hybrid solar power plant at the Rangers Headquarters on Fraser Island, Australia, featuring 81.34 kWp PV and 464 kWh of Cegasa lithium LFP battery storage, aiming for an 80% reduction in diesel use.

This report by Global Energy Monitor and Oxpeckers analyzes global coal mine proposals, finding that 2,277 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of new capacity is under development. This expansion is led by China, Australia, India, and Russia, and is largely inconsistent with the 1.5°C warming limit of the Paris climate agreement.

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.

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.

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.

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.