The Climate Change Authority (CCA) has commenced public consultation on its review of the assessment principles for international offsets.
The Authority has published a consultation paper on its website and is inviting submissions from interested parties by 4 April 2022.
The Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction, Angus Taylor, has asked the CCA to undertake a review of the principles and criteria to apply to assessing the use of international offsets under Commonwealth programs, in the context of the Paris Agreement.
The resulting criteria may also assist with Australia’s emission reduction targets.
CCA CEO, Brad Archer, said the review is timely as international carbon markets are evolving rapidly and have the potential to reduce the cost of achieving emission reduction targets.
“Their design must ensure they contribute to global decarbonisation efforts.” he said.
“The consultation paper gives interested parties the opportunity to provide their views on the criteria for accepting offsets. It is also important to ensuring that any offsets used in Australia represent real emissions reductions.
“It should also make a genuine contribution to the goals of the Paris Agreement, and provide confidence in reported progress to emissions reduction targets by Australian companies.”
Responses to the consultation paper will inform the Authority’s final review report, which is due to be delivered to the Minister by 30 June 2022.
Click here for consultation paper: https://apo.org.au/node/316784