Australia: Environmental Law

Subscribe
Environmental law articles, insights, podcasts, videos and webinars from expert sources across the legal world. Explore insights covering topics such as clean air/pollution, climate change, environmental law and waste management.
Podcast
Podcast: Coffee With CGW – Get To Know Mark Cowan
Special counsel Mark Cowan shares his journey to Cooper Grace Ward after nearly two decades in property, planning and environment law, discussing what attracted him to the firm's collaborative culture. The conversation explores how planning and environment law has transformed into a dynamic field spanning urban development, renewables, infrastructure, agriculture and mining, while examining the persistent challenge of delivering infrastructure efficiently amid shifting government policies.
Australia Real Estate
CG
Cooper Grace Ward
Article
From Chemicals To Courtrooms: Tracking The Expanding Landscape Of PFAS Litigation
PFAS contamination litigation is evolving through distinct waves, from environmental property damage claims to consumer-manufacturer disputes and emerging personal injury actions. As scientific evidence mounts and regulatory scrutiny intensifies, Australian courts face a potential flood of claims mirroring the billions in settlements already paid in the United States, with manufacturers, governments, and corporations throughout the supply chain confronting unprecedented legal exposure.
Australia Environment
PA
Piper Alderman
Article
Environmental Law Reforms: Implications Of Upcoming Changes
Australia's environmental compliance landscape undergoes a major transformation on 1 July 2026, as the next stage of EPBC Act reforms establishes two new regulatory bodies and introduces stricter compliance requirements. With half a billion dollars in federal funding supporting these changes, businesses face new audit mechanisms, heightened penalties, and expanded data-sharing obligations that will fundamentally reshape how environmental approvals are managed and enforced.
Australia Environment
CC
Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Article
Beyond Compliance: NSW Court Of Criminal Appeal Clarifies "Competent Manner" Obligations In Environment Protection Licences
The NSW Court of Criminal Appeal has confirmed that compliance with specific licence conditions is not a defence to a failure to act competently, however it remains relevant to whether activities were carried out properly and efficiently. The decision also reinforces the high bar for criminal liability, particularly where findings of incompetence turn on competing expert evidence.
Australia Environment
KL
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
Article
EPBC Act Reforms: Senate Committee Recommendations
Although the suite of Bills was passed in November 2025, the Senate Committee continued its inquiry on the draft legislative instruments and on the first two draft National Environmental Standards (NES) – the NES for Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES) and the NES for Environmental Offsets. Several of the Senate Committee’s 14 recommendations relate to these draft NES.
Australia Environment
CC
Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Article
Keeping Up With ESG In Australia – April 2026
Treasury's latest consultation on Australia's Sustainable Investment Product Labelling regime introduces mandatory consumer-facing disclosures and asset-based thresholds for financial products marketed with sustainability claims. The proposed framework aims to combat greenwashing while providing retail investors with clearer information about the sustainability characteristics of their investments. Meanwhile, new gender equality targets take effect for large employers, and multiple statutory reviews are res
Australia Environment
KL
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
See more

Latest Videos

See more