Climate change is one of the most significant global challenges facing the world today – one that cannot be ignored. The impacts of climate change are vast, ranging from global warming, rising sea levels, the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters and species extinction – affecting agriculture worldwide and further endangering food security and fresh water supply.

Australian businesses will be under increasing public, government and media scrutiny as laws and policies are implemented to limit greenhouse emissions, and organisations are encouraged to adopt a “greener” approach to business. Now that Australia has ratified the Kyoto Protocol, this area of law will undergo rapid change, and it requires lawyers who are on top of their game, and who keep abreast of all new legal developments.

Whilst many of the changes in how businesses deal with “carbon" in the past have been voluntary, the business community is becoming increasingly subject to legislative requirements, resulting in environmental issues and climate change becoming a high priority commercial issue for business. In particular, with the commencement of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act, the building blocks of a national emissions trading scheme are being put in place.

Our Climate Change team brings together lawyers from across our corporate, property & development, environmental and energy & resources practices – to allow us to provide holistic advice to our clients in this evolving area of law. We can deliver commercial, pragmatic solutions to the issues presented by climate change, tailoring these solutions to the specific needs of each of our clients. We do not take a “one size fits all” approach – we take the time to understand our clients’ businesses, and seek solutions aligned to each of our clients’ business strategies and objectives.

Key Services

• Emissions trading schemes
• Advising on climate law and policies
• Development of greenhouse and climate change policies, including sustainable development policies
• Renewable energy projects
• Environmental impact assessment and planning approvals
• Carbon taxes, Carbon funds and Carbon derivatives
• Securing greenhouse gas abatements and offsets
• Green building development and construction
• Green leases
• Waste management
• Adaptation strategies
• Sector agreements