Policy Overview

The Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) Bill 2020 was introduced into Federal Parliament by independent MP Zali Steggall in November 2020. The proposed Act would mandate: (1) a national climate risk assessment; (2) a national adaptation program; (3) a legislated net-zero target by 2050; and (4) the establishment of an independent Climate Change Commission. The Australian Government has been under increasing pressure to legislate a net zero by 2050 target in line with the European Union and other developed economies.

InfluenceMap Query

Alignment with IPCC on Climate Action

Policy Status

Under Consideration: Unclear whether government with instigate vote on Bill. Opportunity to influence Bill to progress.

Evidence Profile

110221

Key

opposing not supporting mixed/unclear
supporting strongly supporting

Policy Engagement Overview

  • The evidence collected on corporate and industry lobbying on the Climate Change Bill indicates that the majority of entities which have publicly engaged with the policy are supportive.
  • The Bill has been supported by companies including origin Energy, Rio Tinto, Tesla, and Unilever, as well as industry associations including Ai Group and Clean Energy Council.
  • The only entity unsupportive of the Bill has been the Australian Industry Greenhouse Network, which supported the net zero by 2050 ambition but did not appear to support a legislated target, arguing that existing policy measures are adequate.

Impacts on Policy Ambition

The Australian Government has been under increasing pressure to legislate a net zero by 2050 target in line with the European Union and other developed economies. However, the Climate Change Bill does not have the backing of the federal government despite broad support from companies and industry groups. In June 2021, the final report of a parliamentary inquiry recommended that the Bill not be passed. The Bill will now remain with the House of Representatives for consideration, but it is unclear whether the government will instigate a vote on it.

InfluenceMap Query

Alignment with IPCC on Climate Action

Policy Status

Under Consideration: Unclear whether government with instigate vote on Bill. Opportunity to influence Bill to progress.

Evidence Profile

110221

Key

opposing not supporting mixed/unclear
supporting strongly supporting

Live Lobbying Alerts

Google and BP support the passage of Australia's Climate Change Bill

02 September 2022

In a submission to the Australia Senate Committee on Environment and Communications in early August 2022, Google supported the government’s proposed legislation to reduce emissions to net zero by 2050 with an interim target of at least 43% by 2030 under the Climate Change Bill. The comment cited the need to urgently decarbonize the world’s electricity supply, including in Australia. In the same consultation, BP also stated support for Australia's 2050 and 2030 greenhouse gas targets to be legislated, and appeared to support further legislation to achieve these targets.

Entities Engaged on Policy

The table below lists the entities tracked by InfluenceMap which have publicly engaged with the policy. InfluenceMap tracks around 300 companies and 150 industry associations globally. Each entity links back to the entities’ full InfluenceMap profile, where the evidence of its engagement can be found.

Influencemap Performance BandOrganizationEngagement Intensity
CAustralian Industry Group (Ai Group)56All SectorsOceania
CAustralian Energy Council45EnergyOceania
BCarbon Market Institute47All SectorsOceania
A-Clean Energy Council39EnergyOceania
B+Energy Efficiency Council34EnergyOceania
C-Business Council of Australia54All SectorsOceania
C-Origin Energy46EnergyOceania
DAustralian Industry Greenhouse Network25EnergyOceania
FSunset Power International (Delta Electricity)15UtilitiesOceania
D+Rio Tinto Group38Metals & MiningEurope