Renewable Energy Target legislation
The Clean Energy Regulator oversees the administration of the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target and the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme to encourage additional generation of electricity from renewable energy sources. The Renewable Energy Target legislation provides an incentive for investment in renewable energy power stations and smaller systems while ensuring the energy sources used are ecologically sustainable.
Emissions Reduction Fund legislation
The
Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011 established the Carbon Farming Initiative—a program providing incentives for land-based and waste sector projects. With the introduction of the Emissions Reduction Fund under the Government’s Direct Action Plan, amendments to the Carbon Farming Initiative legislation were passed on 24 November 2014. The amendments expanded the coverage of the
Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011 and enables the Clean Energy Regulator to register projects and issue Australian carbon credit units for emissions reduction projects from across the economy. The
Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011 also sets out the requirements for methods and provides for the Clean Energy Regulator to conduct auctions and enter into carbon abatement contracts on behalf of the Government.
National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme legislation
The National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme, established by the
National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007, is a single framework for reporting and disseminating company information about greenhouse gas emissions, energy production, energy consumption and other information. A number of legislative instruments sit beneath the
National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 and give effect to policy details on operational elements of the safeguard mechanism (see below) and audit requirements.
Australian National Registry of Emissions Units (ANREU) legislation
The Australian National Registry of Emissions Units is a secure electronic system designed to track the location and ownership of Australian carbon credit units issued under the Emissions Reduction Fund and emission units issued under the Kyoto Protocol. The Australian National Registry of Emissions Units is underpinned by the
Australian National Registry of Emissions Units Act 2011 and the Australian National Registry of Emissions Units Regulations 2011, which provide legislative support for the administration of the system and ensure participation is consistent with Kyoto Protocol rules.