27 September 2012
Clean Energy Regulator announced today that it has issued the first carbon units under the carbon pricing mechanism, signalling the commencement of the Australian carbon market.
Three applicants today received free carbon units under the Jobs and Competitiveness Program which were issued via the Australian National Registry of Emissions Units (ANREU).
While Kyoto units have been transacted in ANREU for some time, these are the first carbon units issued in ARNEU under the Clean Energy Act 2011.
The Jobs and Competitiveness Program provides ongoing assistance to companies that produce a lot of carbon pollution but are constrained in their capacity to pass through costs in global markets.
While applications for Jobs and Competitiveness Program assistance do not close until 31 October 2012, the Clean Energy Regulator has already received around 40 applications.
The Clean Energy Regulator is required to make a decision about Jobs and Competitiveness Program assistance within 60 days of receiving the application. The Clean Energy Regulator will publish further information about the issue of free carbon units when more applications are approved.