Oceania: Environment

Insights from the 2025 United Nations Business and Human Rights Forum in Geneva.

Companies that invest in comprehensive ESG risk management systems as part of a broader risk management framework will gain a competitive edge.

Both incentives were introduced in the Future Made in Australia (Production Tax Credits and Other Measures) Bill 2024.

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.

The Building (Approvals and Practitioners) Bill 2026 represents a comprehensive overhaul of New South Wales' building approvals regime, introducing significant reforms to streamline processes and support housing targets.

The Queensland Productivity Commission has launched a public inquiry into the 2025 EPBC Act reforms, examining their impact on Queensland businesses and industries. With an interim report due later this year and final recommendations by April 2027, stakeholders now have a critical opportunity to submit evidence on regulatory burdens, compliance costs, and operational impacts.

The Supreme Court has confirmed that the threshold for establishing nuisance remains high, and that factual causation will be difficult to establish when there are multiple factors contributing to an incident.

The recent decisions demonstrate that offensive odour emissions will attract substantial penalties.

Link to article that explores opportunities, drivers & barriers for CCUS hubs, government initiatives to help support them & global approaches to developing them.

Our monthly ESG bulletin provides a targeted snapshot of key developments we see as reflecting the “must know” trends in the Australian market.

The NSW Government has proposed a new Climate Change and Natural Hazards State Environmental Planning Policy to consolidate climate change controls and strengthen climate risk assessment in development planning.

As fuel prices soar amid global tensions and other Australian states offer free public transport, NSW Premier Chris Minns refuses to follow suit, citing concerns about revenue loss while simultaneously supporting fuel tax cuts. The NSW Greens argue that free public transport would provide immediate economic relief, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and benefit essential workers most affected by the cost-of-living crisis.