Are you set for safeguard in 2021?

Starting in 2021, the Clean Energy Regulator (we) will use In sync with safeguard to keep you up to date with important information about the safeguard mechanism.

Following a disrupted 2020, the final parts of the transition to the new baseline setting arrangements, including the expiry of reported baselines, will take place in 2021.

Over 150 facilities have baselines that will end in 2020/21, and will revert to a default baseline of 100,000 from this year onwards if no action is taken. Almost 60 facilities have already moved to replace expiring baselines with a transitional calculated baselines or production adjusted baselines.

We encourage you to start planning your approach to baseline setting early, as options for applications for baselines will be more limited after October 2021.

For now, please be aware that:

  • You can already apply for a calculated or production-adjusted baseline using the prescribed production variables and default emissions intensities – making the application process much simpler.
  • 2020/21 is the last year that reported baselines will apply (unless you are a grid-connected electricity generator).
  • Calculated baselines commencing 1 July 2021 or later must use prescribed production variables and default emissions intensities.
  • Production adjusted baselines commencing 1 July 2021 or later must use prescribed production variables and default emission intensities unless you are moving from a calculated baseline that used site-specific values.

If your facility's baseline was affected by changes to Global Warming Potentials made last year, we will contact you soon to discuss updating baselines.

Watch out for future updates. We will keep you In sync with safeguard information, including:

  • reminders about key dates for baseline applications, multi-year monitoring period applications and emissions management
  • information to assist you in applying for transitional calculated baselines or production adjusted baselines
  • details about online workshops
  • new training resources
  • any other developments relating to the legislation, such as final prescribed production variable amendments, new entrants and landfill baseline setting approaches.