Sch 5Climate change

Schedule 5 Climate change 1 The parties acknowledge the potentially significant impact of greenhouse enhanced climate change on Australia’s natural, social and working environment, as well as on the global community and global environments. The parties accept and support the need for Australia to participate in the development of an effective international response to meet the challenge of greenhouse enhanced climate change and note Australia’s participation in the development of an international convention on climate change. 2 The parties note their endorsement of the decision to adopt an interim planning target to stabilise greenhouse gas emissions (not controlled by the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer) based on 1988 levels, by the year 2000 and reducing these emissions by 20% by the year 2005. The parties reiterate their support, as agreed in October 1990, for the interim planning target to form the basis of development of the National Greenhouse Response Strategy, subject to Australia not implementing response measures that would have net adverse economic impacts nationally or on Australia’s trade competitiveness, in the absence of similar action by major greenhouse gas producing countries. The parties agree that assessment of the implementation of the National Greenhouse Response Strategy against this agreed objective will be reviewed at Special Premiers’ Conferences. 3 The parties reiterate that a National Greenhouse Response Strategy based on the interim planning target must include positive measures for: * limiting emissions of all greenhouse gases, not controlled by the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer; and * conducting further research; and * adapting to the impacts of climate change; and * ensuring that the community understands the need for early action on measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The parties also agree that such a strategy should include measures for auditing and reporting on national greenhouse gas emissions. 4 Taking into account regional differences, the parties recognise that development and implementation of the National Greenhouse Response Strategy will require coordinated and effective action by all levels of government and the community to achieve equitable and ecologically sustainable solutions. 5 The parties agree that First Ministers have ultimate responsibility for intergovernmental considerations of and final decisions on the National Greenhouse Response Strategy. 6 To facilitate the preparation of the National Greenhouse Response Strategy, the parties agree to establish a National Greenhouse Steering Committee. 7 The National Greenhouse Steering Committee will have the following responsibilities: (i) to facilitate the development and coordination of an overall framework for the National Greenhouse Response Strategy; (ii) to consult with the Standing Committees of Ministerial Councils on elements for inclusion in the Strategy and activities of the Ministerial Councils and other specialised bodies such as the National Greenhouse Advisory Committee, and make recommendations to First Ministers on proposed courses of action; (iii) to encourage development of the strategy in areas where it is not being handled elsewhere; (iv) to present the Strategy to First Ministers for consideration/adoption; (v) to recommend to First Ministers requirements for further development of the Strategy as implementation proceeds. Schedule 6 Biological diversity 1 The parties acknowledge that biological diversity is a major and valuable component of the environment and should be protected. 2 The parties note that the Commonwealth Government is currently preparing a draft national strategy for the conservation of biological diversity which is being pursued through the Biological Diversity Advisory Committee which has wide ranging representation, including the States. 3 The parties note that the Commonwealth is responsible for the negotiation, ratification and ensuring implementation of the proposed Biological Diversity Convention. 4 The parties note that the proposed Biological Diversity Convention, while having importance for nature conservation, is likely to have implications across a wide range of Commonwealth and State responsibilities and that the interests and responsibilities of the States and the Commonwealth which may be affected by the proposed Convention are not confined to any particular portfolios. 5 The Commonwealth will continue to provide the States with the opportunity to be represented on Australian delegations to meetings of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for a Convention on Biological Diversity. The Commonwealth and the States will continue their consultations in relation to formulating Australian policy regarding the Convention through the existing mechanisms involving the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and State agencies as nominated from time to time by their First Ministers. 6 Given the wide and significant implications of the proposed Convention, the Commonwealth and the States acknowledge that issues may arise which may cause a State to seek consultation in relation to the negotiations at First Minister level. 7 The Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council, in consultation with and, where appropriate, joint cooperation with, other Ministerial Councils, the agencies referred to in clause 5 and relevant organisations, will forward to First Ministers advice on: (i) the implications of implementing the proposed Convention; and (ii) the manner in which implementation of the proposed Convention may be undertaken. 8 For the purposes of clause 7, the other Ministerial Councils will include: Australian Agricultural Council; Australian Soil Conservation Council; Australian Water Resources Council; Australian Forestry Council; Australian Fisheries Council; Australian and New Zealand Mineral and Energy Council; and Australian Industry and Technology Council.