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Australia Overhauls Laws to Tackle Climate Crisis
28 Nov
Summary
- New laws require large carbon emitters to disclose greenhouse gas emissions.
- Independent regulator and stricter land clearing rules are established.
- Climate report warns millions at risk from rising oceans by 2050.
Australia has enacted sweeping environmental legislation, marking a new era for conservation and productivity. These reforms, approved by parliament, introduce an independent regulator and enforce stricter rules for land clearing, a major driver of native extinctions.
Under the new laws, substantial carbon-emitting projects will be mandated to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and present plans for reduction. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated the laws herald a new era, aiming to protect the environment for future generations.
Despite these changes, concerns remain about the absence of climate pollution considerations in project approval processes. Australia faces significant climate change impacts, with a government report projecting over a million people at risk from rising oceans and increased heat-related illnesses by 2050.
