ESG Snapshot: Issue 112

This week's highlights include:

• No mention of climate change. Queensland's new energy roadmap doesn't mention climate change, and says coal plants will operate indefinitely.
• Where's the evidence? Despite recommending approval for a BHP Pilbara project, the WA EPA has cautioned that big mining projects in the region don't seem to be successfully rehabilitating their sites.
• Woodside appeal fails. The WA Appeals Convenor isn't convinced an LNG train works approval is inadequate, but says LNG companies overseas are advancing on electrification, and similar action in WA would be beneficial.
• New nature method. DCCEEW is consulting on a proposed new Nature Repair method.
• Traceability. DCCEEW has released new training materials on recycled content traceability.
• Gas campaign. BlueScope and Brickworks are key backers of a new 'fair gas prices' campaign.
• ACCC approval. The ACCC has approved a new round of clean energy bulk buys on behalf of organisations based in Victoria.
• New resources. The Grattan Institute, Norton Rose Fulbright, Anthesis, Climateworks, and The Next Economy have all issued new briefings.
• New jobs. The international Mission Possible Partnership, which is focused on industrial decarbonisation, is looking for an associate based in Australia.

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Consultation opportunity - Nature Repair Market. DCCEEW is consulting on the design of a proposed Enhancing Native Vegetation method under the Nature Repair Act.

The proposed method would support projects in areas that have historically experienced widespread clearing of native vegetation.

Projects could:

• restore native vegetation through revegetation and facilitated regeneration
• enhance the ecosystem condition of remnant vegetation for biodiversity
• maintain the ecosystem condition of good-quality remnant vegetation.

The proposed new method builds on the Replanting Native Forest and Woodland Vegetation method and the Enhancing Remnant Vegetation pilot.

A webinar will be held this Wednesday and comments are due 4 November.

DCCEEW has released a series of six video tutorials on recycled content traceability, in line with the government's Recycled Content Traceability Framework.

DCCEEW has also recently released a step-by-step implementation guide for recycled content.

The Office of the Chief Economist has released its latest Resources and Energy Quarterly, which forecasts that a rapid decline in oil prices will lead to weaker LNG prices, prompting a decline in export earnings from $108 billion in FY25 to $81 billion in FY27.

Other highlights include:

• A continued easing of alumina earnings in FY26 as the price surge of 2024 continues to unwind. From over $12 billion in FY25, earnings are forecast to fall to $9 billion by FY27.
• A pick up in lithium earnings, as prices recover from recent substantial falls. Earnings are forecast to rise from $4.8 billion in FY25 to $6.1 billion in FY27.
• Growth in export earnings from other critical minerals from $2 billion in FY25 to $5 billion by FY27. This will be driven by the resumption of manganese production at GEMCO, and an expansion of other rare earth projects, including the Lynas Kalgoorlie processing facility.

Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen has announced the results of Tender 4 under the Capacity Investment Scheme, with the 20 projects that made successful bids expected to deliver a total of 6.6GW of new capacity.

Twelve of the 20 projects are hybrid projects that include a battery component.

Meanwhile, the Minister will this week be in China and India for portfolio meetings.

In Beijing, Bowen will meet with his counterpart Minister Huang Runqiu, Minister of Ecology and Environment, for the 9th Australia-China Ministerial Dialogue on Climate Change.

In New Delhi, he will have a range of meetings with Indian and Australian representatives, including with Minister Pralhad Joshi, Minister of New and Renewable Energy and Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, to convene the first Renewable Energy Partnership Ministers Meeting.

Resources Minister Madeleine King has given a speech in Perth to the Australia-Japan Cooperation Committee, focusing on critical minerals, CCS, and Australia's gas exports.

Grant opportunity - hydrogen. ARENA has opened the second round of its Hydrogen Headstart Program, with up to $2 billion in funding available. 

ARENA is inviting expressions of interest from projects that

• demonstrate innovative plant construction and design to reduce capital costs. 
• improve the efficiency of electrolysers.
• demonstrate flexible operations and other methods to reduce the cost of renewable electricity. 
• enhance end-use infrastructure for priority sectors, including hydrogen for green ammonia, iron and steel, alumina, aviation and shipping.

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation's latest annual report says that in FY25 CEFC investments totalling a record $4.7 billion led to a $25.7 billion uplift in new investment toward net zero.

CEFC investment capital was increased by $2.65 billion in FY25, and it now has access to more than $33 billion in capital to catalyse the flow of capital into the clean energy transition.

Manufacturing Australia, which has members including BlueScope and Cement Australia, has launched a "fair gas prices" campaign and website.

The group is seeking a national gas reservation scheme, and faster approvals for new gas projects.

BlueScope CEO Mark Vassella launched the campaign in a speech to the National Press Club.

DCCEEW has released a CSRIO report on the impact of climate change on three Ramsar wetlands - Riverland, Barmah Forest, and Macquarie Marshes.

All three wetlands are expected to undergo significant ecological shifts, affecting hydrology, biodiversity, and ecological character, the report says.

DCCEEW has released a CSIRO report on Australian and global Synthetic Greenhouse Gas emissions.

The report says total Australian HFC, PFC and sulfur hexafluoride emissions based on CSIRO data have grown from 1,459 tonnes in 2005 to 3,320 tonnes in 2023, which corresponds to an increase from 4.0 million tonnes of CO2e, to 8.1 million tonnes.

Transcript is now available from a Senate Estimates hearing involving officials from DCCEEW.

Export Finance Australia has delivered its first major transaction in India, providing a guarantee of US$171 million to support Power Finance Corporation in the financing of green infrastructure.

Reports, papers, and briefings:

• Norton Rose Fulbright has released a detailed briefing paper on opportunities for engagement in the Asia-Pacific on 'Article 6' of the Paris Agreement, which outlines carbon market developments in key countries.
• The Grattan Institute has released a report titled Bills down, emissions down: A practical path to net-zero emissions.
• Anthesis Group has released a briefing that warns methane emissions from fossil fuels are being materially underreported in Australia's industrial sector. "This has direct implications for compliance, carbon liability, and the effectiveness of decarbonisation strategies, especially under the Safeguard Mechanism, and the AASB S2 mandatory climate- related disclosures, the briefing says.
• Climateworks has released a new report on the capacity of Heat, power and flexibility to future-proof Gladstone.
• The Next Economy has released a report titled The economy we could have, which looks at the economy of today, the divides it creates, and the alternatives.

A new project initiated by Climateworks, in collaboration with the Mission Possible Partnership, will focus on accelerating a transformation to clean industry in Southeast Asia.

EPBC developments:

• Powerlink has made a referral for a new, 44km transmission line, to connect EDF Renewables' proposed 230MW Banana Range wind farm to the grid.  

Open consultations:

• Offshore decommissioning. The federal government is consulting on progress by the Offshore Decommissioning Directorate in implementing Australia's offshore resources decommissioning roadmap. Comments are due by 24 October.

"State-owned coal assets will continue operating for as long as needed in
Queensland's electricity system," says Queensland's Energy Minister David Janetzki in an introduction to the state government's new energy roadmap.

"Delivering on this commitment, the Roadmap resets indicative operating timeframes for state-owned coal assets at least to technical lives, with options to further extend into the future where needed," Janetzki says.

"Going forward, decisions will be evaluated on system need, asset integrity and economic viability — a clear and credible decision matrix for the market," he says.

The roadmap does not mention climate change, although it does include a couple of references to net zero by 2050.

Responding to the roadmap, the Clean Energy Council said: "While the Government has made a decision to pivot from the state's Renewable Energy Targets, renewable energy will continue to play a role in Queensland's future energy mix with an additional 6.8GW of wind and solar and 3.8GW of storage by 2030". 

"The cost-saving benefits of rooftop solar have also been extended to more Queenslanders through the Supercharged Solar for Renters Program, which is welcomed."

The Smart Energy Council said the roadmap would "increase Queensland consumers' energy bills, and will damage the national capacity to respond to climate change for decades to come".

The Clean Energy Investor Group said that elements of the roadmap "risk damaging investor confidence at a critical time".

The Australian Energy Producers, which represents upstream fossil gas businesses, welcomed the five-year roadmap.

The Queensland government is consulting on changes to standard environmental conditions for petroleum exploration and pipeline activities.

The proposed changes will allow the transport of alternative gases in approved pipelines, and will allow for water monitoring bores in primary protection zones of environmentally sensitive areas.

Comments are due by 17 November.

A Queensland parliamentary inquiry into the state's container deposit scheme is due to report on Thursday.

A Queensland parliamentary inquiry into sugarcane bioenergy opportunities has scheduled public briefings for 19 November.

A NSW parliamentary inquiry into the impact of historical development consents on the NSW planning system has scheduled two new public hearings for later this month.

The NSW Independent Planning Commission has approved the proposed 500MW Tallawang solar farm proposed for a site near Gulgong, within the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone.

The proponent has undertaken to provide the Mid-Western Regional Council with $425,000 annually for 35 years.

The recently established Investment Delivery Authority is inviting expressions of interest for major, non-residential projects that align with state government strategic priorities.

The IDA, which will help to streamline assessment and approval processes, is inviting EOIs from proponents of projects including data centres and renewable energy projects.

EOIs must be submitted by 27 October.

Transgrid has started main construction work on HumeLink, the 365km transmission line that will connect at Wagga Wagga with EnergyConnect and unlock the full capacity of Snowy 2.0.

The ACCC has authorised 1Circle Pty Ltd, and associated renewable energy buying groups that will comprise Victorian local councils, and potentially Victorian businesses, as well as service provider organisations such as hospitals and schools.

The Victorian government has released new ministerial guidelines for preparing Declared Mine Rehabilitation Plans for the state's three declared coal mines - Hazelwood, Yallourn, and Loy Yang.

The guidelines explain responsibilities for assessing risks, designing rehabilitation plans, setting closure criteria, and preparing post-closure plans.

A 'BioFactory' that will pilot and test new processes to convert organic waste into products such as animal feed, fertiliser, biogas and biomaterials, has had its official opening.

The project is part of a partnership between Deakin University, the state government, Monash University, RMIT University, and industry partners.

The Essential Services Commission is consulting on guidance and administrative requirements for the new Victorian Energy Upgrades scheme activity that subsidises commercial and industrial solar PV installations.

Comments are due by 16 October.

The Victorian government-owned SEC is teaming up with Bunnings to host a series of "Why Electrify" weekends across selected stores.

The Tasmanian government has released a discussion paper on a proposed new agriculture strategy, which covers issues including natural capital, climate change, and the circular economy.

Comments are due by 14 November.

The first tender under South Australia's new Firm Energy Reliability Mechanism (FERM) will open later this month.

The tender will target 700 MW of capacity across three timeframes. Market briefing materials ahead of the tender opening later this month.

A key wetland for migratory birds has been restored in South Australia’s Limestone Coast region, providing a critical resting and feeding spot for a range of important bird species.

The $11.7 million Lake Hawdon North project near Robe is now complete, restoring and expanding habitat for species including the sharp-tailed sandpiper, curlew sandpiper, common greenshank, and red-necked stint.

In line with the advice of WA's Appeals Convenor, Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn has rejected appeals against works approval granted to Woodside for a second Pluto LNG train on the Burrup Peninsula.

The appellants argued that the works approval conditions did not adequately protect Murujuga rock art, and did not sufficiently prevent human health impacts linked to greenhouse gas emissions.

The Appeals Convenor recommended that the appeals be dismissed. However, the Convenor's report also noted that one appellant had pointed out that there are examples overseas of LNG liquefaction trains that are designed to be electric motor driven (e-drive) rather than powered by gas turbines.

The transition of LNG facilities to e-drive would accelerate greenhouse gas emission reductions and provide opportunities for industry diversification, the report points out.

The appeal was launched in 2021.

In a report recommending approval for BHP's expansion of Jimblebar iron ore hub, the WA EPA has again warned that there is "limited evidence" that proponents of Pilbara mining projects are successfully rehabilitating mined areas.

Reiterating advice first given in 2014, the EPA notes that mining has occurred in the Pilbara for more than 60 years, with few signs of successful rehabilitation of any areas that have been subjected to large-scale mining.

"Through the recommended conditions for this proposal and strategic engagement with proponents more broadly, the EPA looks forward to receiving evidence that progress is being made towards demonstrating that successful rehabilitation at relevant rates ... can be achieved post-mining," it says.

"The technical and practical feasibility of proponents' proposed rehabilitation will be a consideration in EIA of future mining projects in the Pilbara, and therefore understanding the successes and challenges of current rehabilitation activities and forward planning will be a key issue for the EPA in future assessments in the Pilbara," it warns.

The Cook Government has appointed Churchill Capital Consulting (trading as SIA) to develop an Advanced Biofuels Strategy for the state.

"WA is well placed to fuel this emerging industry, with ready supplies of oat, wheat and barley stubble, as well as canola and woody biomass from mallees and blue gums," said Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis.

SIA will be assisted by GHD, which will prepare an economic analysis of WA's biomass feedstocks, supply chains and technology pathways.

The WA government has signed an Indigenous Land Use Agreement with the Miriuwung Gajerrong Corporation, which paves the way for 170,000 hectares of land to be added to Western Australia's conservation estate.

A total of 85,000 hectares will be reserved immediately, and an additional 85,000 hectares will follow.

The WA EPA has received a referral from Synergy for a proposed 100MW wind farm near Augusta, in WA's south-west.

New listings are in blue.

New Energy Transport has announced plans for its first heavy electric trucking depot and plans to commence initial operations in mid-2026. The company has signed MoUs with five major road freight buyers, including toilet paper brand Who Gives A Crap.

Its first depot will allow it to service companies in the Sydney and Wollongong region, and the company will eventually build a network of charging depots along the eastern seaboard.

The World Economic Forum's Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders has released an open letter to world leaders ahead of COP30, stressing the commercial viability of the climate economy.

The Alliance represents $4 trillion in revenues and 12 million employees in 130+ companies. Between 2019 and 2023, its members reduced aggregate emissions by 12% while delivering revenue growth of 20%.

The amount of installed renewable power is forecast to more than double by 2030, according to a new International Energy Agency report.

Renewable sources of electricity generation are continuing to grow strongly around the world, with global capacity expected to more than double by 2030, according to the IEA's latest medium-term forecast.

"Led by the rapid rise of solar PV, renewables' expansion is taking place in a context of supply chain strains, grid integration challenges, financial pressures and policy shifts," the IEA cautions. 

Solar PV will account for around 80% of the global increase in renewable power capacity over the next five years, the report says, followed by wind, hydro, bioenergy and geothermal.

"Rising grid integration challenges are renewing interest in pumped-storage hydropower, whose growth is expected to be almost 80% faster over the next five years compared with the previous five."

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