We manage and deliver policies and programs to help Australia respond to climate change.
The Australian Government is working to reduce emissions by:
- upgrading the electricity grid to support more renewable power
- reducing the price of electric vehicles
- supporting businesses and industries to innovate and adopt smarter practices and technologies
- encouraging businesses and consumers to reduce emissions
- regulating and reporting on greenhouse gas emissions
- helping the land and agriculture sector reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- partnering with our Indo-Pacific neighbours to reduce emissions
- helping negotiate and meet Australia’s obligations under the Paris Agreement
- reducing baselines under the Safeguard Mechanism predictably and gradually over time.
Powering Australia
The Australian Government’s Powering Australia plan is focused on creating jobs, cutting power bills and reducing emissions by boosting renewable energy.
Powering Australia is a comprehensive plan with commitments on:
- Australian leadership
- backing industry, agriculture and carbon farming
- transport
- electricity
It capitalises on Australia’s abundant natural resources to drive growth, new industries and become a renewable energy superpower.
Read more about Powering Australia on energy.gov.au.
Emissions reduction incentives
We encourage businesses, industries and consumers to reduce their emissions through a number of programs and initiatives.
- The Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) aims to provide incentives for a range of organisations and individuals to adopt new practices and technologies to reduce their emissions and store carbon.
- Climate Active encourages Australian businesses to become carbon neutral by awarding Climate Active Carbon Neutral Standard certification. Read how we administer Climate Active.
- The Renewable Energy Target (RET) scheme reduces emissions by encouraging more electricity generation from renewable sources.
Regulating emissions
Australia’s long-term strategy and domestic actions are underpinned by rigorous emissions monitoring and accountability systems.
- The National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) scheme is a single national framework for reporting greenhouse gas emissions, energy production and energy consumption.
- The Safeguard Mechanism requires Australia’s largest greenhouse gas emitters to keep their net emissions below a limit that will be reduced over time.
Reporting on emissions
Australia has made commitments to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and track progress towards those commitments. We report each year on Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Find out how we track and report greenhouse gas emissions.
Find out how we project Australia’s future greenhouse gas emissions.
Adapting to climate change
While we work to limit future climate change through our Powering Australia plan and emissions reduction and reporting, we are also increasing the country’s capacity to adapt to the climate crisis.
- The Roles and Responsibilities for Climate Change Adaptation in Australia 2012 outlines the responsibilities of each level of Australian government to plan and implement adaptation activities.
- The National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy 2021 – 2025 outlines how the Australian Government will fulfil its 2012 COAG Roles and Responsibilities.
Find out more about climate adaptation in Australia.
Our climate change agencies
We work with our portfolio agencies, organisations and partnerships on climate change initiatives:
- The Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner manages complaints about wind farms, large-scale solar farms, energy storage facilities and new major transmission projects.
- The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) finances low emissions technology and renewable energy projects.
- The Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) uses climate simulations to project future climate.
- The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) finances clean energy projects.
- The Clean Energy Regulator administers the NGER, ERF, and RET schemes that we develop and oversee.
- The Climate Change Authority advises the government on Australia’s climate change policies and future emissions reduction targets.
- The Bureau of Meteorology monitors, analyses and communicates observed and future changes in Australia’s climate
- The Australian Climate Service works across Australian Government agencies to develop climate information to support better planning and preparedness for climate and natural hazards.
Annual Climate Change Statement
The Annual Climate Change Statement to Parliament is a requirement Under the Climate Change Act 2022. The first Annual Statement was tabled in Parliament on 1 December 2022. It provides an overview of the economic, environmental and social impacts of climate change, places Australian action within the context of global efforts and reports on Australia’s domestic policies to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The Annual Climate Change Statement also responds to independent advice from the Climate Change Authority in their First Annual Progress Report.