Climate Change Bill – Explanatory Paper

Overview

The State Government has committed to introducing climate change legislation to contribute to national and global goals for decarbonisation, provide certainty for business, and attract the investment required for the transition to net zero emissions by 2050.

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (the department) is seeking comment from stakeholders on an explanatory paper summarising the provisions of the Climate Change Bill.

The legislation will ensure accountability and transparency for government, establishing Western Australia’s long-term target of net zero emissions by 2050. It will provide statutory requirements to set interim emission reduction targets and develop policies to reduce emissions and enhance climate resilience.

The legislation will require the Minister for Climate Action to set a 2030 target for State Government emissions as soon as practicable after the Act comes into operation.

The legislation will also require the Minister for Climate Action to report annually to Parliament on Western Australia’s net emissions and progress against the emission reduction targets.

Download a copy of the explanatory paper.

Have your say

The department welcomes your written submissions on any material issues that may impact the functioning of the legislation.

Prior to making a submission, please download a copy of the:

• Climate Change Bill Explanatory Paper
• Factsheet of the Climate Change Bill

Timing

The development of the legislation is a priority for the State Government. It is anticipated that the Bill will be tabled in late 2023.

To meet this timeframe a four-week consultation period is available for stakeholders starting on 20 September 2023, and ending on 17 October 2023.

Closing date for submissions is 5.00pm (WST) Tuesday, 17 October 2023.

Submissions received after the four-week consultation period.

Stakeholders wishing to provide comment on the explanatory paper are encouraged to do so within the four-week consultation period to assist in the finalisation of the Bill before it is introduced to Parliament. However, the consultation hub will remain open to receive comment on the Bill as it progresses through Parliament.

Should you have any questions about the consultation process or how to provide comment, please email climatebill@dwer.wa.gov.au or call 08 6364 7000.

How to make a submission

Submissions can be made via this Consultation Hub. Submissions can also be sent to climatebill@dwer.wa.gov.au or by post to:

Climate Bill

Legislation and National Policy Branch

Department of Water and Environmental Regulation

Locked Bag 10, Joondalup DC, WA, 6919

If the views or opinions in the submission officially represent those of an organisation, please specify the name of the organisation.

If you make a submission, please be aware that in doing so, you are consenting to it being treated as a part of a public document. Your name may be published; however, your contact details will be withheld for privacy. If you do not consent to your submission being treated as part of a public document, you should mark it as confidential or specifically identify what information in the submission you consider to be confidential and include an explanation. The department may request that a non confidential summary of the material is also provided. It is important to note that even if your submission is treated as confidential by the department, it may still be disclosed in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 1992, or any other applicable written law. The department reserves the right before publishing a submission to delete any content that could be regarded as racially vilifying, derogatory, or defamatory to an individual or an organisation.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

For more background information, please see our FAQs section.

Stakeholder information sessions

We encourage participants to attend the online briefing session the department is offering to assist in the understanding of the legislation. To register for an information session please refer to your invitation sent via email.