{"id":"climate-change-and-greenhouse-emissions-reduction-act-2007","name":"Climate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Act 2007","slug":"climate-change-and-greenhouse-emissions-reduction-act-2007","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"sa","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":31774,"registerId":"sa-climate-change-and-greenhouse-emissions-reduction-act-2007-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Climate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Act 2007","content":"South Australia\nClimate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Act 2007\nAn Act to provide for measures to address climate change with a view to assisting to achieve a sustainable future for the State; to set targets to achieve a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions within the State; to promote the use of renewable sources of energy; to promote business and community understanding about issues surrounding climate change; to facilitate the early development of policies and programs to address climate change; and for other purposes.\n\nContents\nPart 1—Preliminary\n1\tShort title\n3\tObjects of Act\n4\tInterpretation\nPart 2—Targets\n5\tTargets\nPart 3—Administration\nDivision 1—The Minister\n6\tFunctions of Minister\n7\tTwo-yearly reports\n8\tPower of delegation\nDivision 2—Premier's Climate Change Council\n9\tPremier's Climate Change Council\n10\tConditions of membership\n11\tFunctions of Council\n12\tProcedure at meetings\n13\tAnnual report\nPart 4—Policies, plans, programs and other initiatives\n14\tPolicies and plans\n14A\tClimate change risk assessment for the State\n14B\tPlans prepared by public sector agencies\n15\tVoluntary offset programs\n16\tSector agreements\nPart 5—Miscellaneous\n17\tProtection of information\n18\tFalse or misleading information\n18A\tStatus and effect of policies and plans\n19\tConflicts of interest\n20\tReport of Department\n20A\tReports of public sector agencies\n21\tReview of Act\n22\tRegulations\nLegislative history\n\nThe Parliament of South Australia enacts as follows:\nPart 1—Preliminary\n1—Short title\nThis Act may be cited as the Climate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Act 2007.\n3—Objects of Act\n\t(1)\tThe objects of this Act are—\n\t(a)\tto assist in the achievement of ecologically sustainable development in the State by addressing issues associated with climate change and, in particular—\n\t(i)\tby setting the SA target; and\n\t(ii)\tby setting the following related targets:\n\t(A)\tthe 2030 target;\n\t(B)\tthe renewable electricity target; and\n\t(b)\tto promote commitment to action within the State to address climate change through—\n\t(i)\tthe development of specific targets (as appropriate) for various sectors of the State's economy; and\n\t(ii)\tthe development of various interim targets (including the interim targets under section 5(2a)); and\n\t(iii)\tthe development of policies, plans and programs for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and for other relevant purposes; and\n\t(ba)\tto promote transparency in relation to the operation of this Act, including through the public reporting of information; and\n\t(c)\tto encourage energy efficiency and conservation; and\n\t(d)\tto promote research and development with respect to the development and use of technology to reduce, limit or prevent greenhouse gas emissions or to support adaptation to climate change, including by developing ways to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere; and\n\t(e)\tto encourage the commercialisation of renewable energy and of technologies that will reduce, limit or prevent greenhouse gas emissions or support adaptation to climate change; and\n\t(f)\tto provide recognition to bodies and persons who commit to addressing climate change by achieving reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, by increasing the use of renewable energy sources, by introducing emissions off-set programs or by adopting other relevant initiatives; and\n\t(g)\tto encourage and facilitate business, First Nations people and community consultation and early action with respect to issues surrounding climate change; and\n\t(h)\tto support measures to facilitate adaptation to circumstances that will inevitably be caused by climate change, including by supporting measures that will improve the ability of the community, species and ecosystems to deal with the effects of climate change; and\n\t(i)\tto provide for reporting on progress being made within the State to meet the SA target, and other specific or interim targets associated with reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and to meet targets associated with the generation or use of renewable electricity; and\n\t(j)\tto promote action within South Australia that provides consistency with national and international schemes designed to address climate change, including schemes that relate to emissions trading and emissions reporting; and\n\t(k)\tto enhance the ability of the State to contribute to, and to respond expeditiously to, national and international developments associated with issues surrounding climate change.\n\t(2)\tIn seeking to further the objects of this Act, the achievement of ecologically sustainable development will be guided by the following principles:\n\t(a)\tthe use, development and protection of the environment should be managed in a way, and at a rate, that will enable people and communities to provide for their economic, social and physical well-being and for their health and safety while—\n\t(i)\tsustaining the potential of natural and physical resources to meet the reasonably foreseeable needs of future generations; and\n\t(ii)\tsafeguarding the life-supporting capacity of the environment; and\n\t(iii)\tavoiding, remedying or mitigating adverse effects of activities on the environment;\n\t(b)\tproper weight should be given to both long and short term economic, environmental, social and equity considerations in deciding all matters relating to environmental protection, restoration and enhancement;\n\t(c)\tif there are threats of serious or irreversible damage to the environment, lack of full scientific certainty regarding climate change should not be used as a reason for postponing preventative measures;\n\t(d)\trecognition should be given to the importance of the agricultural industry to South Australia and it should be acknowledged that there is a fluctuation of greenhouse gas emissions in relation to the agricultural industry.\n4—Interpretation\nIn this Act, unless the contrary intention appears—\n2030 target—see section 5(2)(a);\nAustralian jurisdictions means the jurisdictions comprising—\n\t(a)\tthe Commonwealth; or\n\t(b)\teach of the States or Territories;\nclimate change adaptation means any process of adjusting to the actual or expected effects of climate change;\nclimate change mitigation means measures or activities that relate to reducing the rate of climate change including (without limitation) by limiting, reducing or preventing greenhouse gas emissions;\nDepartment means the administrative unit of the Public Service that is responsible for assisting a Minister in the administration of this Act;\nemissions offset programs are programs designed to recognise or achieve a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, or the removal of greenhouse gas emissions, taking into account any criteria prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this definition;\ngreenhouse gas emissions are emissions of—\n\t(a)\tcarbon dioxide; or\n\t(b)\tmethane; or\n\t(c)\tnitrous oxide; or\n\t(d)\thydro fluorocarbons; or\n\t(e)\tperfluorocarbons; or\n\t(f)\tsulphur hexafluoride; or\n\t(g)\tany other gas brought within the ambit of this definition by the regulations;\nnet greenhouse gas emissions means greenhouse gas emissions after—\n\t(a)\tdetermining the amount of total greenhouse gas emissions attributable to the State, including any removals of greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere due to activities within the State; and\n\t(b)\tdeducting from the amount described in paragraph (a), any emissions offsets from outside of the State;\nnet renewable electricity generation means the contribution of renewable electricity generated in South Australia after taking into account non‑renewable electricity generated in South Australia and interconnector flows over the course of a financial year;\nPremier's Climate Change Council—see section 9;\npublic sector agency has the same meaning as in the Public Sector Act 2009;\nrenewable electricity means electricity generated from renewable energy sources;\nrenewable electricity target—see section 5(2)(b);\nSA target—see section 5(1);\nsector agreements—see section 16;\nstatewide climate change risk assessment—see section 14A.\nPart 2—Targets\n5—Targets\n\t(1)\tThe principal target under this Act (the SA target) is to achieve zero net greenhouse gas emissions within the State by 31 December 2050.\n\t(2)\tThe following are related targets under this Act:\n\t(a)\tto reduce net greenhouse gas emissions in the State to an amount that is at least 60% below 2005 levels by 31 December 2030 (the 2030 target);\n\t(b)\tto achieve 100% net renewable electricity generation in the State by 31 December 2027 (the renewable electricity target).\n\t(2a)\tWithout limiting subsection (3)(c), the Minister must set interim targets under this Act for the reduction of net greenhouse gas emissions in this State to be achieved by—\n\t(a)\t31 December 2035; and\n\t(b)\t31 December 2040; and\n\t(c)\t31 December 2045.\n\t(2b)\tThe setting of an interim target under subsection (2a) must—\n\t(a)\tbe expressed as the extent to which the amount of the State's net greenhouse gas emissions is to be reduced in relation to 2005 levels; and\n\t(b)\tbe such that the interim target set in relation to each date constitutes a greater reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions in the State than a target set in relation to any preceding date (including the 2030 target); and\n\t(c)\tinclude an indicative interim target for the date that next follows the date in relation to which the interim target is being set.\n\t(2c)\tAn interim target under subsection (2a) must—\n\t(a)\tin relation to the target to be achieved by 31 December 2035—be set on or before 31 December 2030; and\n\t(b)\tin relation to the target to be achieved by 31 December 2040—be set on or before 31 December 2035; and\n\t(c)\tin relation to the target to be achieved by 31 December 2045—be set on or before 31 December 2040.\n\t(2d)\tIn setting an interim target under subsection (2a) the Minister must—\n\t(a)\tundertake such consultation as the Minister determines to be reasonable and appropriate; and\n\t(b)\thave regard to any relevant advice of the Premier's Climate Change Council relating to targets; and\n\t(c)\tconsider whether zero net greenhouse gas emissions within the State can reasonably be achieved before 31 December 2050.\n\t(3)\tThe Minister may, in connection with the operation of subsections (1), (2), (2a) and (2b) for the purposes of any other provision of this Act—\n\t(a)\tdetermine the method for calculating greenhouse gas emissions for the purposes of setting relevant 2005 levels (the baseline), and then determine a figure that represents that baseline;\n\t(b)\tdetermine the method for calculating any reduction in greenhouse gas emissions;\n\t(ba)\tdetermine the method for calculating the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions attributable to the State, removal of greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere and greenhouse gas emissions offsets from outside the State;\n\t(c)\tset sector-based targets and additional interim targets;\n\t(d)\tset specific baselines for particular areas of activity (as components of the overall baseline);\n\t(e)\tmake other determinations that assist in measuring greenhouse gas emissions or renewable energy within the State.\n\t(4)\tThe Minister must, insofar as may be relevant, in acting under subsections (2a), (2b)(c) and (3)—\n\t(a)\tseek to acknowledge action taken since 2005 to achieve reductions in greenhouse gas emissions; and\n\t(b)\tseek to obtain the advice of relevant experts; and\n\t(c)\tseek to take into account relevant methodologies and principles that apply within other Australian jurisdictions; and\n\t(d)\tseek to provide consistency with best national and international practices with respect to the setting of targets, the setting of the baseline and determining a method for calculating reductions in greenhouse gas emissions or the generation or use of renewable electricity, insofar as may be reasonably practicable and insofar as these may be relevant to this State.\n\t(5)\tThe Minister may make a determination or set a target under subsection (3) that relates to a particular enterprise or industry, a particular sector of the State's economy, a particular sector of the South Australian community, or the community more generally.\n\t(6)\tThe Minister may from time to time vary any determination or target under this section (including an interim target set under subsection (2a)) after taking into account new or updated methodologies or advice with respect to the calculation, assessment, measurement or reporting of greenhouse gas emissions, or any other factor considered relevant by the Minister.\n\t(7)\tThe Minister must, as soon as practicable after—\n\t(aa)\tsetting an interim target under subsection (2a); or\n\t(a)\tmaking a determination or setting a target under subsection (3); or\n\t(b)\ttaking action under subsection (6),\nprepare a report on the matter and cause a copy of the report to be laid before both Houses of Parliament.\n\t(8)\tThe Minister must publish any determination or target that applies under this section, which may be by, or include, publication on the Department's website.\nPart 3—Administration\nDivision 1—The Minister\n6—Functions of Minister\n\t(1)\tThe functions of the Minister under this Act are—\n\t(a)\tto keep issues relevant to climate change under review; and\n\t(b)\tto promote early action to meet the SA target, or any sector-based or interim target under this Act; and\n\t(c)\tto develop, adopt or promote policies, plans or programs that are relevant to addressing climate change and the effects of climate change in accordance with the objects of this Act (and taking into account any specific requirements under this Act); and\n\t(d)\tto promote consultation with business, First Nations people and within the community about issues associated with climate change; and\n\t(e)\tto consider and promote business initiatives and technological advances that may assist in dealing with climate change or in reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and\n\t(f)\tto promote the involvement of the South Australian Government in relevant State, national or international forums about climate change; and\n\t(g)\tto promote the commercialisation of renewable electricity technology and to support initiatives to develop a scheme to promote the generation and use of renewable electricity within the State, including by providing incentives to encourage South Australians to feed electricity generated from renewable sources into electricity grids; and\n\t(h)\tto promote the commercialisation and use of technologies that will reduce, limit or prevent greenhouse gas emissions within the State; and\n\t(i)\tto promote research and development to promote the objects of this Act; and\n\t(j)\tto support initiatives to develop a national emissions trading scheme aimed at achieving greenhouse gas abatement; and\n\t(k)\tto support initiatives to develop systems and frameworks to provide for the removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere; and\n\t(l)\tto consider, as the Minister thinks fit, whether it is necessary or desirable to amend any legislation (including this Act), or to modify any policies or administrative practices within government in order to achieve the objects of this Act, and to make recommendations in relation to these matters; and\n\t(m)\tto undertake monitoring and other programs to assess the extent of climate change that may affect the State, and to collect, collate or assess information relevant to issues associated with climate change; and\n\t(n)\tto provide reports and to publish other information associated with climate change or initiatives or activities to address climate change, and to support public education in relation to climate change; and\n\t(o)\tto establish appropriate reporting frameworks across government with respect to issues relating to climate change or greenhouse gas emissions, with particular reference to the requirements of section 7 and in order to provide reports on progress being made towards targets that relate to public sector agencies; and\n\t(p)\tsuch other functions assigned to the Minister by or under this or any other Act.\n\t(2)\tWithout limiting any other provision of this Act, the Minister should—\n\t(a)\tseek to promote action to develop a coherent policy framework within the State to address issues associated with climate change; and\n\t(b)\tseek to achieve consistency between policies, plans or programs developed or implemented under this Act and initiatives, standards, schemes or commitments at the national and international levels to address issues associated with climate change.\n\t(3)\tIn performing functions under the Act, the Minister should seek—\n\t(a)\tto work collaboratively within international networks for regional governments; and\n\t(b)\tto work collaboratively with—\n\t(i)\tthe Governments of other Australian jurisdictions; and\n\t(ii)\tthe local government sector; and\n\t(iii)\tthe Premier's Climate Change Council; and\n\t(iv)\tother relevant international, business, environment and community groups and organisations.\n7—Two-yearly reports\n\t(1)\tThe Minister must, on a two-yearly basis, prepare a report on the operation of this Act.\n\t(2)\tThe report must include—\n\t(a)\tan assessment of the effectiveness of the initiatives that are being adopted in order to achieve the SA target; and\n\t(b)\ta report on any determination or target made or set under section 5 during the reporting period; and\n\t(c)\tan assessment of the progress being made to achieve the targets set by or under section 5; and\n\t(e)\ta report on any sector agreement between the Minister and any other person or entity entered into under this Act during the reporting period; and\n\t(f)\ta summary of—\n\t(i)\tthe levels of greenhouse gas emissions, and of the use of renewable and non‑renewable electricity sources, within the State (as determined or estimated at the time of reporting); and\n\t(ii)\tthe development of technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere; and\n\t(g)\ta report on any emissions offset programs established or recognised under this Act during the reporting period, and on progress in establishing a national emissions trading scheme; and\n\t(h)\ta report on any inter-governmental agreements relevant to climate change entered into by the South Australian Government during the reporting period; and\n\t(i)\ta report on any significant national or international commitments or agreements relevant to climate change made or entered into during the reporting periods; and\n\t(j)\tinformation on any relevant rates, trends or impacts associated with climate change, with particular reference to any identified or assessed impacts of climate change on South Australia or any expected future impacts of climate change that have emerged or become increasingly relevant during the reporting period.\n\t(2a)\tFor the purposes of subsection (2)(f)(i), information on the levels of greenhouse gas emissions must include—\n\t(a)\tthe level of net greenhouse gas emissions within the State; and\n\t(b)\tthe total amount of greenhouse gas emissions attributable to the State, without taking account of any removals of greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere due to activities within the State, or any emissions offsets from outside the State.\n\t(2b)\tFor the purposes of a report under this section, without limiting the manner in which levels of greenhouse gas emissions or renewable electricity generation or use may be expressed, the report must, in providing information in relation to those matters, where relevant, express the information using an appropriate unit of measurement (and not just express the relevant information by reference to a percentage).\n\t(3)\tThe Minister must cause a copy of the report to be laid before both Houses of Parliament within 6 sitting days after the report is prepared.\n\t(4)\tThe first report under this section must be completed and tabled in Parliament by the end of 2009.\n\t(5)\tThe first report under this section, and thereafter every alternate report, must incorporate a report from—\n\t(a)\tthe CSIRO; or\n\t(b)\tif the CSIRO is unwilling or unable to provide a report—an independent entity designated by the Minister by notice in the Gazette,\nthat assesses the extent to which any determination or target made or set under section 5 is being achieved and, if it appears relevant, should be revised.\n\t(6)\tIn this section—\nCSIRO means the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation.\n8—Power of delegation\n\t(1)\tThe Minister may delegate to a body or person (including a person for the time being holding or acting in a specified office or position) a function or power of the Minister under this or any other Act.\n\t(2)\tA delegation under this section—\n\t(a)\tmust be by instrument in writing; and\n\t(b)\tmay be absolute or conditional; and\n\t(c)\tdoes not derogate from the power of the Minister to act in any matter; and\n\t(d)\tis revocable at will.\n\t(3)\tA function or power delegated under this section may, if the instrument of delegation so provides, be further delegated.\nDivision 2—Premier's Climate Change Council\n9—Premier's Climate Change Council\n\t(1)\tThe Premier's Climate Change Council is established.\n\t(2)\tThe Council will consist of at least 7 and not more than 10 members appointed by the Minister with a view to obtaining a reasonable range of persons from across the following sectors and a balance of expertise that is relevant to addressing or adapting to climate change:\n\t(a)\tthe State Government;\n\t(b)\tthe local government sector;\n\t(c)\tthe business community;\n\t(d)\tthe environment and conservation sector;\n\t(e)\tthe scientific community;\n\t(f)\tother sectors of the State's community more generally.\n\t(3)\tThe Minister should seek to appoint persons who can demonstrate—\n\t(a)\ta commitment to action to address climate change; and\n\t(b)\tan understanding of the issues and impacts associated with climate change.\n\t(3a)\tIn making an appointment under this section (being an appointment required to fill a vacancy in the office of a member of the Council that occurs after the commencement of this subsection), the Minister must have regard to the desirability of including, within the expertise of the Council's membership, a person or persons who have an understanding of—\n\t(a)\tthe calculation, assessment, measurement or reporting of greenhouse gas emissions; and\n\t(b)\tscience related to climate change.\n\t(4)\tThe Minister should consult with the Local Government Association of South Australia before making an appointment for the purposes of subsection (2)(b).\n\t(5)\tThe Minister should consult with the Conservation Council of South Australia before making an appointment for the purposes of subsection (2)(d).\n\t(6)\tAt least 1 member of the Council must be a woman and at least 1 member must be a man.\n10—Conditions of membership\n\t(1)\tA member of the Council will be appointed on conditions determined by the Minister for a term, not exceeding 3 years, specified in the instrument of appointment and, at the expiration of a term of office, is eligible for reappointment.\n\t(2)\tThe Minister may remove a member of the Council from office—\n\t(a)\tfor breach of, or non-compliance with, a condition of appointment; or\n\t(b)\tfor failing to carry out duties of office satisfactorily; or\n\t(c)\tfor neglect of duty; or\n\t(d)\tfor misconduct.\n\t(3)\tThe office of a member of the Council becomes vacant if the member—\n\t(a)\tdies; or\n\t(b)\tcompletes a term of office and is not reappointed; or\n\t(c)\tresigns by written notice to the Minister; or\n\t(d)\tis removed from office under subsection (2).\n\t(4)\tA member of the Council is entitled to fees, allowances and expenses determined by the Minister (subject to the qualification that a person appointed for the purposes of subsection (2)(a) will not be entitled to receive a sitting fee).\n11—Functions of Council\n\t(1)\tThe primary function of the Council is to provide independent advice to the Minister about matters associated with reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change, including by achieving energy efficiencies, increasing the generation and use of renewable energy, developing methods to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, and establishing and achieving relevant targets.\n\t(2)\tThe Council has other functions conferred by the Minister.\n\t(3)\tIn the performance of its functions, the Council should seek—\n\t(a)\tto provide advice to the Minister on—\n\t(i)\tthe impact of climate change on business and the wider community, and the development or implementation of policies or programs relevant to addressing climate change, including by the initiation of specific projects and plans; and\n\t(ii)\tthe impact of the operation and implementation of this Act on business and the wider community and, as appropriate, any amendments to relevant legislation (including this Act) that, in the opinion of the Council, should be considered or promoted by the Minister; and\n\t(iii)\tcosts associated with climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation or mitigating the effects of climate change or greenhouse gas emissions; and\n\t(iv)\tcosts associated with failing to take action to address climate change; and\n\t(v)\tcommercial or other opportunities associated with climate change, climate change mitigation or climate change adaptation, with mitigating the effects of climate change or greenhouse gas emissions or with increasing the use of renewable energy sources; and\n\t(vi)\tthe effectiveness of any determination or target under section 5, and the need to revise any such determination or target; and\n\t(vii)\tany other matter on which the Minister requests the advice of the Council; and\n\t(b)\tto take a leadership role in consulting with business, the environment and conservation movement and the wider community about issues associated with climate change and to assist in disseminating information to business and other groups in order to encourage the implementation of practices that will assist in addressing climate change or adapting to the effects of climate change.\n\t(4)\tThe following requirements apply in connection with the operation of paragraph (a) of subsection (3):\n\t(a)\tany advice to the Minister under that paragraph must be provided or confirmed by the Council by instrument in writing;\n\t(b)\tthe Minister must, within 6 sitting days after the end of each quarter, cause a copy of any instrument received under paragraph (a) of this subsection during the quarter to be laid before both Houses of Parliament;\n\t(c)\tthe Minister must ensure that any instrument tabled under paragraph (b) is accompanied by a statement from the Minister in which the Minister sets out the extent to which the Minister has acted on the relevant advice, or intends to act on the relevant advice and, to the extent that it is not accepted, the reasons why not.\n12—Procedure at meetings\n\t(1)\tA member appointed by the Minister as the presiding member of the Council will preside at a meeting of the Council or, in the absence of that member, a member chosen by those present will preside.\n\t(2)\tA majority of the members of the Council constitute a quorum of the Council.\n\t(3)\tSubject to any direction of the Minister, the Council may determine its own procedures.\n13—Annual report\n\t(1)\tThe Council must, on or before 31 October in each year, provide to the Minister a report on its activities for the financial year ending on the preceding 30 June.\n\t(2)\tThe Minister must cause a copy of the report to be laid before both Houses of Parliament within 6 sitting days after the report is provided to the Minister.\nPart 4—Policies, plans, programs and other initiatives\n14—Policies and plans\n\t(1)\tThe Minister should seek to develop, as the Minister thinks fit—\n\t(a)\tpolicies or plans that will assist in—\n\t(i)\tclimate change mitigation to reduce the rate of climate change including to reduce, limit or prevent greenhouse gas emissions, or to mitigate the effects of climate change or greenhouse gas emissions; and\n\t(ii)\tpromoting or implementing measures to facilitate adaptation to circumstances that will inevitably be caused by climate change; and\n\t(iii)\toutlining how public sector agencies should (as, or to the extent, specified in the policy) consider and manage climate related risks in relation to their operations and activities; and\n\t(b)\twithout limiting paragraph (a), policies that seek to adopt, promote or encourage opportunities or innovations that will further develop or support action within industry or other sectors of the State's economy, and within the community more generally, to increase the generation or use of renewable energy, including by the development of an industry plan for the State's renewable energy technologies industry; and\n\t(c)\tpolicies that otherwise seek to secure the objects of this Act.\n\t(1a)\tThe Minister must develop a plan for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions for the State (a statewide emissions reduction plan) within 2 years of the commencement of this subsection.\n\t(1b)\tThe statewide emissions reduction plan must set out—\n\t(a)\tthe Government's objectives for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions for the State; and\n\t(b)\tthe Government's policies, programs and other initiatives for reducing, limiting or preventing greenhouse gas emissions,\nand may—\n\t(c)\trefer to, or incorporate, wholly or partially and with or without modification, any other policy or plan that relates to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions for the State; and\n\t(d)\tinclude any other matters the Minister thinks fit.\n\t(1c)\tThe Minister must review the statewide emissions reduction plan such that—\n\t(a)\tthe first review is to be undertaken to coincide, insofar as is reasonably practicable, with the setting of the first interim target for the purposes of section 5(2a)(a); and\n\t(b)\tfurther reviews are to be undertaken at least every 5 years following the first review, to coincide, insofar as is reasonably practicable, with the setting of each subsequent interim target under section 5(2a).\n\t(1d)\tIn preparing, or conducting a review of, the statewide emissions reduction plan, the Minister must undertake such consultation as the Minister considers appropriate.\n\t(1e)\tThe Minister may vary the statewide emissions reduction plan following a review under subsection (1c), or at any other time, as the Minister thinks fit.\n\t(2)\tThe Minister must, in acting under this section—\n\t(a)\tseek to achieve consistency with policies adopted by the Government to promote sustainability within the State; and\n\t(b)\tdevelop a policy or policies that demonstrate the Government's leadership in dealing with climate change through the management and reduction of its own greenhouse gas emissions, which may include consideration of a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target or targets, and through the development of related reporting mechanisms, in a manner that is consistent with the objects of this Act; and\n\t(c)\tseek to have regard to the most up-to-date science and research with respect to climate change rates, trends or impacts, and State, national and international developments with respect to climate change technologies and industry best practice; and\n\t(d)\tseek to apply up-to-date practices and methodologies in calculating greenhouse gas emissions, and the generation or use of renewable energy, taking into account national and international developments; and\n\t(e)\ttake into account the requirements of any relevant legislation (whether at the State or national level); and\n\t(f)\tseek to take into account the statewide climate change risk assessment and any other relevant frameworks, policies, programs and initiatives.\n\t(3)\tSubject to this section, the Minister may vary a policy or plan under this section at any time.\n\t(4)\tThe Minister must publish any policy or plan developed under this section (including any policy or plan as varied), which may be by, or include, publication on the Department's website.\n\t(5)\tThe Minister must, in association with the operation of subsection (4) insofar as it relates to the publication of a policy, give notice of the introduction or adoption of the policy (and any variation of the policy) by notice in the Gazette.\n14A—Climate change risk assessment for the State\n\t(1)\tThe Minister must, within 2 years of the commencement of this section, prepare a climate change risk assessment for the State (the statewide climate change risk assessment) to support planning by the State Government, local government, various sectors of the State's economy and the community, and the community more generally, to manage climate related risk.\n\t(2)\tThe statewide climate change risk assessment—\n\t(a)\tmust include an assessment of the economic, social and environmental implications of climate change, and the associated risks to economic activity, communities, natural environments and ecosystems, and the health and well‑being of the people of the State; and\n\t(b)\twithout limiting any other matters that may be taken into consideration, should be prepared having regard to—\n\t(i)\tthe impacts of climate change on biodiversity; and\n\t(ii)\tthe impacts of climate change on water management; and\n\t(iii)\tmeasures mitigating the effects of climate change, including measures to progress towards a circular economy; and\n\t(iv)\tthe impacts of the transition to lower greenhouse gas emissions; and\n\t(c)\tmay include or take account of any other matters that the Minister considers relevant.\n\t(3)\tThe Minister must conduct a review of the statewide climate change risk assessment at least once in every 5 years.\n\t(4)\tIn preparing, or conducting a review of, the statewide climate change risk assessment, the Minister must—\n\t(a)\tinsofar as is reasonably practicable, seek to take into account the most up‑to‑date and best available information on projected impacts of climate change in the State; and\n\t(b)\tundertake such consultation as the Minister considers appropriate.\n\t(5)\tThe Minister may vary the statewide climate change risk assessment, following a review under subsection (3), or at any other time, as the Minister thinks fit.\n\t(6)\tThe Minister must ensure that an up‑to‑date copy of the statewide climate change risk assessment is made reasonably available to the public, which may be by, or include, publication on the Department's website.\n14B—Plans prepared by public sector agencies\n\t(1)\tThe Premier may, by notice in writing to a public sector agency, nominate the agency to prepare a plan with respect to the agency or a specified sector or sectors (or both) for the purpose of addressing either or both of the following:\n\t(a)\tmatters relating to climate change mitigation;\n\t(b)\tmatters relating to climate change adaptation.\n\t(2)\tA nomination under subsection (1) may—\n\t(a)\tif the Premier considers it appropriate, having regard to the areas of responsibilities and operations of a public sector agency, nominate 1 or more public sector agencies to prepare a joint plan; and\n\t(b)\tspecify the scope and application of the plan (including, in relation to a plan with respect to a sector or sectors, by identifying the sector or sectors to which it is to apply); and\n\t(c)\tbe varied or revoked by the Premier at any time by further notice in writing to the public sector agency.\n\t(3)\tSubject to this section, a public sector agency that is the subject of a nomination of the Premier under subsection (1) must prepare a plan in accordance with the nomination and any guidelines developed by the Minister under subsection (9).\n\t(4)\tA plan for a public sector agency or a sector prepared pursuant to a nomination of the Premier under subsection (1)—\n\t(a)\tshould, insofar as is reasonably practicable, provide for policies, programs and other initiatives that are relevant to the functions, activities or areas of responsibility, operations or interests of the agency or sector; and\n\t(b)\tmust be developed having regard to—\n\t(i)\tthe climate related risks that may be relevant to the agency or sector (including any risks identified in the statewide climate change risk assessment); and\n\t(ii)\tthe targets set by or under this Act; and\n\t(iii)\tany other relevant plans that relate to the agency or sector under this section; and\n\t(iv)\tany relevant sector agreements under this Act; and\n\t(v)\tthe plans and policies prepared by the Minister under this Act; and\n\t(c)\tmay be varied by the public sector agency or agencies that prepared the plan, in accordance with any guidelines developed by the Minister under subsection (9).\n\t(5)\tA public sector agency that is the subject of a nomination of the Premier under subsection (1) must—\n\t(a)\tin preparing or varying a plan prepared by the agency, undertake such consultation as the agency considers appropriate after taking into account any guidelines developed by the Minister under subsection (9) that relate to consultation; and\n\t(b)\tensure that an up‑to‑date copy of the plan is made reasonably available to the public, which may be by, or include, publication on the agency's website; and\n\t(c)\tprepare a report on the implementation of the plan on an annual basis in accordance with any guidelines developed by the Minister under subsection (9).\n\t(6)\tA public sector agency that is not the subject of a nomination of the Premier under subsection (1) may, after consultation with the Minister, prepare a plan, or prepare a plan jointly with 1 or more other public sector agencies, with respect to the agency (or agencies) or a particular sector or sectors, for the purpose of addressing either or both of the following:\n\t(a)\tmatters relating to climate change mitigation;\n\t(b)\tmatters relating to climate change adaptation.\n\t(7)\tA plan referred to in subsection (6)—\n\t(a)\tmay, insofar as is reasonably practicable, provide for policies, programs and other initiatives that are relevant to the functions, activities or areas of responsibility, operations or interests of the agency or sector; and\n\t(b)\tmust be prepared in accordance with any guidelines developed by the Minister under subsection (9); and\n\t(c)\tmay, after consultation with the Minister, be varied or revoked at any time by the public sector agency or agencies that prepared the plan, in accordance with any guidelines developed by the Minister under subsection (9).\n\t(8)\tIn preparing or varying a plan referred to in subsection (6), the public sector agency must undertake such consultation as the agency considers appropriate after taking into account any relevant guidelines developed by the Minister under subsection (9) that relate to consultation.\n\t(9)\tThe Minister—\n\t(a)\tmay develop guidelines in connection with the preparation, content, variation and operation of a plan under this section, including, without limitation, guidelines that relate to consultation and reporting requirements; and\n\t(b)\tmay vary or revoke any such guidelines at any time; and\n\t(c)\tmust ensure that an up‑to‑date copy of any guidelines is published on the Department's website.\n\t(10)\tFor the purposes of this section, a reference to a sector is to be taken to refer to a sector of the State's economy or another related group or area of activity.\n15—Voluntary offset programs\n\t(1)\tThe Minister may take steps for the purpose of recognising, promoting or facilitating emissions offset programs initiated on a voluntary basis.\n\t(2)\tWithout limiting any program established under subsection (1), the regulations may make provision to support emissions offset programs, including—\n\t(a)\tby providing methods to identify or determining the types and extent of offsets that may form part of emissions offset programs recognised for the purposes of this Act; and\n\t(b)\tby establishing a scheme for the registration of emissions offset programs; and\n\t(c)\tby establishing criteria that allow for the recognition of emissions offset programs that deliver a number of benefits (such as the removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, biodiversity enhancement and economic development).\n\t(3)\tThe Minister must, in conjunction with the operation of subsections (1) and (2), take into account the desirability of ensuring that emissions offset programs recognised in this State can also be recognised for the purposes of national and international programs in order to promote the tradeability of products and services.\n16—Sector agreements\n\t(1)\tThe Minister may enter into agreements (sector agreements) with a particular person or entity or industry or business group on a voluntary basis for the purpose of recognising, promoting or facilitating strategies to meet any target set under this Act or that relate to climate change mitigation or climate change adaptation.\n\t(2)\tA sector agreement may provide for such matters as—\n\t(a)\tobjectives for a particular enterprise or industry, or a particular sector of the State's economy, with respect to climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation or mitigating the effects of climate change or greenhouse gas emissions;\n\t(b)\tstrategies to achieve any objectives, including strategies to achieve a reduction in energy use, to maximise efficiencies in the use of energy or to promote the use of renewable energy;\n\t(c)\tstrategies to promote or support research and development, and innovation in technologies or practices, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or to adapt to climate change;\n\t(d)\tmethods to measure or acknowledge successes in meeting any targets.\n\t(3)\tA sector agreement recognised under this section must—\n\t(a)\tbe consistent with the objects of this Act; and\n\t(b)\tinclude specific requirements for reviewing, and reporting on, the operation of the agreement (with particular reference to providing information for the purposes of section 7).\n\t(6)\tThe Minister must establish and maintain—\n\t(a)\ta register of sector agreements; and\n\t(b)\ta scheme to provide for the inspection and independent assessment of sector agreements (subject to the operation of section 17).\n\t(7)\tA register of sector agreements under subsection (6)(a) must be kept available for public inspection, without fee, on the Department's website.\nPart 5—Miscellaneous\n17—Protection of information\n\t(1)\tA person must not disclose or use prescribed information gained by a person through involvement in the administration of this Act unless the person does so—\n\t(a)\twhen necessary for the purposes of this Act; or\n\t(b)\twhen expressly authorised, in writing, by the person to whom the information relates; or\n\t(c)\twhen required to do so by a court or tribunal constituted by law; or\n\t(d)\twhen authorised or required under the regulations.\nMaximum penalty: $50 000.\n\t(2)\tThis section does not apply to the recording, disclosure or use of information in a statistical or other form that could not reasonably be expected to cause any material detriment to a particular person.\n\t(3)\tIn this section—\nprescribed information means—\n\t(a)\tinformation that is commercial, financial, scientific or technical in nature that would reveal proprietary business, competitive or trade secret information of significant value if released; or\n\t(b)\tinformation that is commercially sensitive for some other reason; or\n\t(c)\tinformation that is brought within the ambit of this definition by the regulations.\n18—False or misleading information\nA person who furnishes information to the Minister or another authority under this Act that is false or misleading in a material particular is guilty of an offence.\nMaximum penalty: $10 000.\n18A—Status and effect of policies and plans\n\t(1)\tA policy or plan under this Act is an expression of policy and does not affect rights and liabilities (whether of a substantive, procedural or other nature).\n\t(2)\tNo action may be brought on the basis that an entity has acted in a way that is inconsistent with a policy or a plan under this Act.\n\t(3)\tNo action may be brought on the basis that another instrument is inconsistent with a policy or plan under this Act.\n19—Conflicts of interest\n\t(1)\tIn this section—\nCouncil means the Premier's Climate Change Council.\n\t(2)\tA member of the Council who has a direct or indirect personal or pecuniary interest in a matter decided or under consideration by the Council—\n\t(a)\tmust, as soon as reasonably practicable, disclose in writing to the Council full and accurate details of the interest; and\n\t(b)\tmust not take part in any discussion by the Council relating to that matter; and\n\t(c)\tmust not vote in relation to that matter; and\n\t(d)\tmust be absent from the meeting room when any such discussion or voting is taking place.\nMaximum penalty: $15 000.\n\t(3)\tIf a member of the Council has or acquires a personal or pecuniary interest, or is or becomes the holder of an office, such that it is reasonably foreseeable that a conflict might arise with his or her duties as a member of the Council, the member must, as soon as reasonably practicable, disclose in writing to the Council full and accurate details of the interest or office.\nMaximum penalty: $15 000.\n\t(4)\tA disclosure under this section must be recorded in the minutes of the Council and reported to the Minister.\n\t(5)\tIf, in the opinion of the Minister, a particular interest or office of a member of the Council is of such significance that the holding of the interest or office is not consistent with the proper discharge of the duties of the member, the Minister may require the member either to divest himself or herself of the interest or office or to resign from the Council (and non-compliance with the requirement constitutes a ground for removal of the member from the Council).\n\t(6)\tThis section does not apply in relation to a matter in which a member of the Council has an interest while the member remains unaware that he or she has an interest in the matter, but in any proceedings against the member the burden with lie on the member to prove that he or she was not, at the material time, aware of his or her interest.\n\t(7)\tThis section does not apply in relation to an interest that arises by virtue only of the fact that a member of the Council has an interest in a particular sector of the State's economy or community more generally.\n20—Report of Department\n\t(1)\tThe annual report of the Minister's department must include a report on work undertaken within the department in relation to the development of climate change policy and related initiatives.\n\t(2)\tThe Chief Executive of the Minister's department must consult with the Premier's Climate Change Council in connection with the preparation of the report required under subsection (1).\n20A—Reports of public sector agencies\n\t(1)\tAn annual report that is required to be prepared by a public sector agency (including the Department) must, to the extent that it is relevant to the operations or activities of the agency, include a report on the manner in which the agency is addressing matters relating to climate related risks and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.\n\t(2)\tIn preparing a report under this section, a public sector agency must have regard to any guidelines developed by the Minister under subsection (3).\n\t(3)\tThe Minister—\n\t(a)\tmay develop guidelines in connection with the reporting requirements of public sector agencies under this section including in relation to the reporting of the level of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the operations or activities of the agency; and\n\t(b)\tmay vary or revoke any such guidelines at any time; and\n\t(c)\tmust ensure that an up‑to‑date copy of any guidelines is published on the Department's website.\n\t(4)\tThe requirements of this section do not apply to, or in respect of, an annual report of a public sector agency that is required to be prepared in relation to the financial year in which this section comes into operation.\n21—Review of Act\n\t(1)\tThe Minister must cause a review of this Act and its operation to be conducted on a four-yearly basis.\n\t(2)\tThe review must include a specific report on—\n\t(a)\tthe extent to which the objects of this Act are being achieved; and\n\t(ab)\tinsofar as is reasonably practicable, the extent to which measures adopted by the State Government to facilitate climate change adaptation have been implemented; and\n\t(b)\tthe extent to which additional legislative measures (if any) are considered necessary to achieve the targets set by this Act within the periods contemplated by this Act, including by the introduction of performance standards and other mandatory requirements; and\n\t(c)\tother matters determined by the Minister to be relevant to a review of this Act.\n\t(3)\tThe Minister must take reasonable steps to ensure that, in the conduct of the review, there is consultation with—\n\t(a)\tthe Premier's Climate Change Council; and\n\t(b)\tother relevant business, environment and community groups and organisations.\n\t(4)\tThe outcome of the review must be embodied in a written report.\n\t(5)\tThe Minister must cause a copy of the report to be laid before both Houses of Parliament within 6 sitting days after the report is presented to the Minister.\n\t(6)\tSubsection (1) operates subject to the qualification that the first review must be completed by the end of 2009.\n22—Regulations\n\t(1)\tThe Governor may make such regulations as are contemplated by, or as are necessary or expedient for the purposes of, this Act.\n\t(2)\tWithout limiting the generality of subsection (1), the regulations may—\n\t(a)\trequire the provision of reports, returns, documents and other forms of information to the Minister or any other prescribed person or body;\n\t(b)\trequire the keeping of records, statistics and any other information by any person or body;\n\t(c)\tauthorise the Minister (or any person authorised by the Minister) to inspect any information required to be kept under the regulations and require any person to permit or facilitate any such inspection;\n\t(d)\trequire the giving of notice before any prescribed class of activity is commenced, and the notification of the occurrence of any prescribed class of event;\n\t(e)\tprovide for a scheme under which the Minister may set targets, including interim targets, for the State Government, and specific targets for specific public sector agencies, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their activities within the State that are at least equivalent to the SA target;\n\t(f)\tprovide for the service of any notice or document;\n\t(g)\tregulate the release or publication of information of a specified kind obtained in the administration of this Act;\n\t(h)\tprescribe fines, not exceeding $10 000, for contravention of a regulation.\n\t(3)\tRegulations under this Act—\n\t(a)\tmay be of general application or limited application;\n\t(b)\tmay make different provision according to the matters or circumstances to which they are expressed to apply;\n\t(c)\tmay provide that a matter or thing in respect of which regulations may be made is to be determined according to the discretion of the Minister or any other person or body prescribed by the regulations.\nLegislative history\nNotes\n\t•\tFor further information relating to the Act and subordinate legislation made under the Act see the Index of South Australian Statutes or www.legislation.sa.gov.au.\nPrincipal Act and amendments\nNew entries appear in bold.\nYear\nNo\nTitle\nAssent\nCommencement\n2007\n22\nClimate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Act 2007\n28.6.2007\n3.7.2007 (Gazette 2.7.2007 p2928)\n2025\n11\nClimate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 2025 \n27.3.2025\n27.3.2025\nProvisions amended\nNew entries appear in bold.\nEntries that relate to provisions that have been deleted appear in italics.\nProvision\nHow varied\nCommencement\nPt 2\n\n\ns 2\nomitted under Legislation Revision and Publication Act 2002\n27.3.2025\ns 3\n\n\ns 3(1)\namended by 11/2025 s 2(1)—(8)\n27.3.2025\ns 3(2)\namended by 11/2025 s 2(9)\n27.3.2025\ns 4\n\n\n2030 target\ninserted by 11/2025 s 3(1)\n27.3.2025\nclimate change adaptation\ninserted by 11/2025 s 3(2)\n27.3.2025\nclimate change mitigation\ninserted by 11/2025 s 3(2)\n27.3.2025\nDepartment\ninserted by 11/2025 s 3(2)\n27.3.2025\nnet greenhouse gas emissions\ninserted by 11/2025 s 3(3)\n27.3.2025\nnet renewable electricity generation\ninserted by 11/2025 s 3(3)\n27.3.2025\nPremier's Climate Change Council\ninserted by 11/2025 s 3(3)\n27.3.2025\npublic sector agency\ninserted by 11/2025 s 3(3)\n27.3.2025\nrenewable electricity target\ninserted by 11/2025 s 3(4)\n27.3.2025\nSA target\nsubstituted by 11/2025 s 3(5)\n27.3.2025\nstatewide climate change risk assessment\ninserted by 11/2025 s 3(6)\n27.3.2025\nPt 2\n\n\ns 5\n\n\ns 5(1) and (2)\nsubstituted by 11/2025 s 4(1)\n27.3.2025\ns 5(2a)—(2d)\ninserted by 11/2025 s 4(1)\n27.3.2025\ns 5(3)\namended by 11/2025 s 4(2)—(5)\n27.3.2025\ns 5(4)\nsubstituted by 11/2025 s 4(6)\n27.3.2025\ns 5(6)\namended by 11/2025 s 4(7)\n27.3.2025\ns 5(7)\namended by 11/2025 s 4(8)\n27.3.2025\ns 5(8)\namended by 11/2025 s 4(9)\n27.3.2025\nPt 3\n\n\ns 6\n\n\ns 6(1)\namended by 11/2025 s 5(1)—(4)\n27.3.2025\ns 6(2)\namended by 11/2025 s 5(5)\n27.3.2025\ns 7\n\n\ns 7(2)\namended by 11/2025 s 6(1), (3)\n27.3.2025\n\n(d) deleted by 11/2025 s 6(2)\n27.3.2025\ns 7(2a)\ninserted by 11/2025 s 6(4)\n27.3.2025\ns 7(2b)\ninserted by 11/2025 s 6(5)\n27.3.2025\ns 9\n\n\ns 9(3a)\ninserted by 11/2025 s 7\n27.3.2025\ns 11\n\n\ns 11(1)\namended by 11/2025 s 8(1)\n27.3.2025\ns 11(3)\namended by 11/2025 s 8(2), (3)\n27.3.2025\nPt 4\n\n\nheading\namended by 11/2025 s 9\n27.3.2025\ns 14\n\n\nheading\namended by 11/2025 s 10(1)\n27.3.2025\ns 14(1)\namended by 11/2025 s 10(2), (3)\n27.3.2025\ns 14(1a)—(1e)\ninserted by 11/2025 s 10(4)\n27.3.2025\ns 14(2)\namended by 11/2025 s 10(5)—(7)\n27.3.2025\ns 14(3) and (4)\nsubstituted by 11/2025 s 10(8)\n27.3.2025\ns 14(5)\nsubstituted by 11/2025 s 10(9)\n27.3.2025\nss 14A and 14B\ninserted by 11/2025 s 11\n27.3.2025\ns 16\n\n\ns 16(1)\namended by 11/2025 s 12(1)\n27.3.2025\ns 16(2)\namended by 11/2025 s 12(2)\n27.3.2025\ns 16(4) and (5)\ndeleted by 11/2025 s 12(3)\n27.3.2025\ns 16(7)\ninserted by 11/2025 s 12(4)\n27.3.2025\nPt 5\n\n\ns 18A\ninserted by 11/2025 s 13\n27.3.2025\ns 20\n\n\nheading\namended by 11/2025 s 14\n27.3.2025\ns 20A\ninserted by 11/2025 s 15\n27.3.2025\ns 21\n\n\ns 21(2)\namended by 11/2025 s 16\n27.3.2025\ns 22\n\n\ns 22(2)\namended by 11/2025 s 17\n27.3.2025\n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The legislation has grown significantly beyond its original 2007 framework. The 2025 amendments (Act No. 11/2025) introduced mandatory interim targets (2035, 2040, 2045), a statewide climate change risk assessment (section 14A), mandatory planning requirements for public sector agencies (section 14B), and expanded reporting obligations. The original Act focused primarily on target-setting and voluntary measures; the amended version imposes more structured planning requirements on government agencies and embeds adaptation planning alongside mitigation, reflecting a shift from aspirational framework to more prescriptive governance mechanisms."},"complexity_factors":["Moderate length (approximately 80 sections/subsections across 5 Parts)","15 defined terms in section 4, including technical concepts like 'net greenhouse gas emissions' and 'net renewable electricity generation'","Multiple nested requirements for target-setting (section 5(2a)-(2d)) with specific timing constraints and progressive reduction requirements","Cross-references between Parts (e.g., risk assessment in section 14A referenced in planning requirements)","Conditional logic in delegation powers (section 8) and conflict of interest provisions (section 19)","Multiple reporting streams: Minister's two-yearly reports, Council's annual reports, Department reports, public sector agency reports, and four-yearly Act reviews","Discretionary powers throughout ('may', 'should', 'must') creating a mix of mandatory and aspirational obligations","Recent amendments (2025) inserted substantial new provisions including sections 14A and 14B, indicating evolving scope"],"plain_english_summary":"This is South Australia's main climate change law. It sets legally binding targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and requires the government to plan for both cutting emissions and adapting to climate change impacts.\n\n**Key targets:**\n- **Zero net emissions by 2050** (the main goal)\n- **At least 60% below 2005 levels by 2030**\n- **100% net renewable electricity by 2027**\n- Additional interim targets for 2035, 2040 and 2045 (which must be progressively stricter)\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- **The State Government** – must develop a statewide emissions reduction plan and a climate change risk assessment, and ensure public sector agencies report on their climate actions\n- **Public sector agencies** – can be required by the Premier to prepare plans for cutting emissions or adapting to climate change\n- **Business and community** – the Act promotes voluntary sector agreements, emissions offset programs, and consultation with First Nations people, business and the wider community\n- **The Premier's Climate Change Council** – an independent advisory body with 7-10 members from government, business, science and environment sectors\n\n**What it does:**\n- Requires the Minister to set interim targets and report to Parliament every two years on progress\n- Mandates a statewide climate risk assessment (reviewed every 5 years) looking at economic, social and environmental risks\n- Allows voluntary agreements with industries (sector agreements) to meet climate goals\n- Protects commercially sensitive information provided under the Act\n- Makes it an offence to provide false information ($10,000 fine) or disclose protected information ($50,000 fine)\n\n**Important limitation:** Policies and plans under this Act are **not legally enforceable** – they express government policy but don't create legal rights or liabilities that can be sued over.\n\n**Why it matters:** This Act provides the framework for South Australia's climate action, translating international commitments into state-level targets and requiring regular public reporting on whether the state is on track to meet its goals."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Yes. The 2025 amendments materially broaden the Act from a high‑level climate policy framework to a more prescriptive implementation architecture. New elements that expand scope include: statutory interim targets and a 2030 emissions benchmark and a renewable electricity deadline (s 5(2)–(2d)); mandatory statewide emissions reduction plan with review timetables (s 14(1a)–(1e)); a statutory statewide climate change risk assessment with 5‑year reviews (s 14A); explicit duties and reporting obligations for public sector agencies and Premier nomination powers to require agency plans (s 14B; s 20A); tightened requirements for Council membership expertise and tabling of written advice (ss 9(3a), 11(3)–(4)); and expanded regulatory powers to support offset programs, registers and inspections (ss 15, 16, 22). These changes move the Act from goal‑setting toward operational governance with concrete administrative, reporting and regulatory instruments, increasing compliance and implementation responsibilities for government agencies and creating clearer pathways for industry engagement (voluntary agreements, offset recognition)."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple new target provisions and timelines (s 5(1), (2), (2a)–(2d)) creating staged obligations","Ministerial power to set methods, baselines and sector targets with broad variation power (s 5(3), s 5(6))","Approximately 15 defined terms in the interpretation section with cross‑references throughout (e.g. net greenhouse gas emissions, net renewable electricity generation, public sector agency)","Nested administrative duties and reporting cycles: two‑yearly Ministerial reports, annual agency reporting, five‑year risk assessment reviews, four‑year Act review (ss 7, 14A(3), 20A, 21)","Delegation power with further delegation allowed (s 8) increasing layers of decision‑making","Premier nomination mechanism for agency plans plus Minister guidelines — multiple actors with overlapping roles (s 14B(1), (9))","Detailed procedural and transparency requirements for the Premier's Climate Change Council, including mandatory written advice and tabling rules (ss 11(3)–(4))","Regulations clause with broad enabling powers including inspection, fines and the ability to set targets for government agencies (s 22(2))","Penalties and confidentiality rules with differing maxima (s 17 max $50,000; s 18 max $10,000; s 19 penalties for conflicts)","Additions from 2025 amendments expanding scope (new sections s 14A, s 14B, new targets and reporting provisions) leading to greater cross‑referencing and conditional logic"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this law does (mechanically)**\n\n- Establishes a central greenhouse gas reduction framework for South Australia, anchored by an overall net‑zero target and several specific related targets (see section 5). The Act gives the Minister responsibility for setting, publishing and adjusting targets, methodologies and sector‑specific targets (s 5, s 6).  \n\n- Requires the Minister to create and publish plans and policies, including a statewide emissions reduction plan, and to prepare a statewide climate change risk assessment within statutory timeframes (s 14(1a)–(1e); s 14A).  \n\n- Creates the Premier's Climate Change Council as an advisory body to the Minister, prescribes its membership mix and duties, and requires that written advice the Council gives be tabled in Parliament with a Ministerial response (ss 9–13).  \n\n- Imposes reporting and transparency obligations: two‑yearly reports by the Minister on the operation of the Act and progress against targets (s 7); annual and other reporting by public sector agencies on how they are addressing climate‑related risks and emissions (ss 14B, 20, 20A).  \n\n- Enables voluntary sector arrangements: voluntary emissions offset programs (s 15) and voluntary sector agreements between the Minister and industries or groups (s 16). The Minister must keep a public register of sector agreements (s 16(6)–(7)).  \n\n- Grants the Governor/Executive power to make detailed regulations (including reporting, record‑keeping, inspection powers, target‑setting for government agencies and fines) and gives the Minister wide discretion over methods and consultation processes (s 22; s 5(3)).  \n\n- Protects certain commercially sensitive information from disclosure (s 17) and makes it an offence to give materially false or misleading information (s 18). It also clarifies that policies/plans under the Act are expressions of policy only and do not create legal rights or liabilities (s 18A).  \n\n**Who it affects**\n\n- The South Australian Government: the Minister has primary powers and duties; the Premier can nominate public sector agencies to prepare agency‑level plans (s 6; s 14B). Public sector agencies must report and develop plans where nominated (s 14B; s 20A).  \n\n- The Premier's Climate Change Council: appointment, membership conditions, disclosure and conflict rules, reporting duties and penalties for non‑compliance apply to council members (ss 9–13; s 19).  \n\n- Businesses, industry groups and other non‑government actors: they are affected if they enter voluntary sector agreements (s 16), participate in recognised emissions offset programs (s 15), or are required by regulations to provide information or keep records (s 22).  \n\n- The general public and researchers: the Act creates public reporting obligations and requires publication of plans, the risk assessment and registers (ss 7, 14(4)–(5), 14A(6), 16(6)–(7)).\n\n**Why it matters (stated purposes and what that implies practically)**\n\n- The Act sets a statutory net‑zero by 2050 objective for South Australia and concrete related targets (a 2030 emissions reduction benchmark and a renewable electricity target) and converts those goals into an administrative process—targets, methodologies, plans, risk assessment and reporting—designed to track and guide progress (s 5; s 14(1a)–(1e); s 14A).  \n\n- The Government (through the Minister and the Premier) decides the details: how emissions are measured, what interim and sectoral targets look like, what public sector agencies must do, and which voluntary programs or sector agreements are recognised (s 5(3), s 14B, s 16). That concentrated decision power shapes incentives for industry and public agencies because targets and methodologies determine what actions count toward progress (s 5(3)(a)–(e)).\n\n**Testing the claimed purpose against concrete costs, incentives and trade‑offs**\n\n- Implementation and compliance costs: the Act creates recurring administrative duties—two‑yearly Ministerial reports (s 7), agency plans and annual reporting where nominated (s 14B; s 20A), a statewide plan and periodic reviews (s 14(1a)–(1e); s 21), and a 5‑yearly risk assessment cycle (s 14A(3)). These impose resourcing needs on the Department and nominated agencies (s 6; s 20).  \n\n- Ministerial discretion vs. certainty for business: the Minister may set and vary methodologies, sector targets and baselines and may delegate powers (s 5(3), s 5(6); s 8). That flexibility allows updating to reflect new science or national practice (s 5(4)), but can increase regulatory uncertainty for businesses that plan investments based on stable rules.  \n\n- Incentives for private actors and concentrated beneficiaries: the Act encourages voluntary sector agreements (s 16) and voluntary offset programs (s 15), and explicitly supports commercialisation of renewable technologies (s 6(g)–(h)). These mechanisms create opportunities for firms in renewables and offset certification to capture demand created by the targets, while firms outside those niches face mostly indirect obligations unless regulations impose mandatory reporting or standards (s 22(2)(e)).  \n\n- Interaction with national/international schemes and tradeability: the Minister must seek consistency with national and international methods and may take steps to ensure State offsets are recognised elsewhere to promote tradeability (s 5(4); s 15(3)). The Act therefore envisions the State framework operating alongside broader schemes, which both enables market linkage and requires methodological alignment.  \n\n- Information and enforcement risks: the Act criminalises false or misleading information (s 18) and restricts disclosure of commercially sensitive material (s 17). Regulations can set fines for contraventions and inspection powers (s 22(2)(a)–(c), (h)), which are enforcement levers but may also raise compliance costs and confidentiality concerns for businesses.  \n\n**Who pays & who decides — short answer**\n\n- Who pays: primarily the South Australian Government for administration (Minister/Department) and public sector agencies for plan preparation and reporting; private parties bear costs only where they enter voluntary agreements or are subject to regulations requiring reporting/records.  \n\n- Who decides: the Minister holds broad rule‑making and target‑setting powers (s 5, s 6), the Premier can nominate public sector agencies to prepare plans (s 14B), and the Premier's Climate Change Council provides independent advice (s 9–11) but not binding decisions.\n\n**Practical implementation risks and trade‑offs to watch**\n\n- Heavy reliance on Ministerial discretion (s 5, s 22) may produce variable regulatory settings over time and uncertainty for long‑lived private investments.  \n\n- Administrative and reporting load on public sector agencies (s 14B, s 20A) needs resourcing and clear guidance (Minister may issue guidelines, s 14B(9), s 20A(3)).  \n\n- The Act privileges voluntary mechanisms (sector agreements, offset programs) but leaves open regulations to impose mandatory requirements (s 22(2)(e)); that creates an implementation pathway from soft to hard obligations depending on future regulations.\n\n- Transparency measures (publication of policies, registers and reports—ss 5(8), 14(4), 16(7), 7) increase public scrutiny but also require careful handling of commercially sensitive data (s 17).\n\n**Key statutory anchors to consult**\n\n- Targets and methods: s 5.  \n- Minister functions and powers: s 6 and s 8 (delegation).  \n- Statewide emissions reduction plan and timelines: s 14(1a)–(1e).  \n- Statewide climate risk assessment: s 14A.  \n- Public sector agency planning/reporting: s 14B and s 20A.  \n- Voluntary offset programs and sector agreements: ss 15–16.  \n- Reporting, confidentiality, offences and regulations: ss 7, 17, 18, 22.\n"},"summary":{"complexity_score":1,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Scope cannot be assessed as the legislative text was not retrievable. The page returned was an error page from the South Australian legislation website, not the content of the Act itself. No comparison between original intent and current form is possible from the provided material."},"complexity_factors":["No legislative text was available for analysis — the source URL returned a 404 Page Not Found error","The website underwent a migration around 24 March 2026, rendering the original link broken","Complexity cannot be meaningfully assessed without the actual statutory text","Score of 1 reflects inability to analyse, not simplicity of the underlying law"],"plain_english_summary":"**⚠️ Content Unavailable — Page Not Found**\n\nThe legislation text for the **Climate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Act 2007 (SA)** could not be retrieved. The South Australian legislation website returned a 'Page Not Found' error, likely due to a website migration that occurred around **24 March 2026**, which broke older hyperlinks and bookmarks.\n\n**What we do know about this Act (from general legal knowledge):**\n- This is a **South Australian state law** passed in 2007 that set targets and frameworks for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in South Australia.\n- It established emissions reduction targets for the state and created mechanisms for the South Australian Government to report on and work toward those targets.\n- It affects **government agencies, businesses, and indirectly all South Australians** through the state's climate and energy policy obligations.\n- South Australia has since updated its climate legislation, and this Act has been subject to amendments over the years.\n\n**To access the actual current text**, visit [www.legislation.sa.gov.au](https://www.legislation.sa.gov.au) and search directly for the Act by name."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/climate-change-and-greenhouse-emissions-reduction-act-2007","history":"/api/acts/climate-change-and-greenhouse-emissions-reduction-act-2007/history","analysis":"/api/acts/climate-change-and-greenhouse-emissions-reduction-act-2007/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/climate-change-and-greenhouse-emissions-reduction-act-2007/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/climate-change-and-greenhouse-emissions-reduction-act-2007/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/climate-change-and-greenhouse-emissions-reduction-act-2007/documents"}}