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National Environment Protection Council Act 1994
Sch 5Climate change
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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.