13 July, 2010 - The number of rating tools, policies, reports, incentives and legal rulings on sustainable residential  development has proliferated in recent years. In this comprehensive work, legal firm Herbert Geer has created clear and focused guide through the maze. At least for the eastern seaboard. In 2020, Australian greenhouse ...Read More > >

Brief - 10 August 2010 - A conference to be held at the Columbia Law School in New York City will address the legal issues surrounding island nations that are at risk of being wiped off the map due to rising sea levels. A 2007 report from the Intergovernmental Panel on ...Read More > >

- By Stafford Hopewell, partner, Gadens Lawyers, Brisbane - FAVOURITES - 31 January 2010 - Climate change is starting to emerge as a significant issue in planning and environment decision-making. Courts and tribunals are increasingly being required to take into account climate change issues and there is an emerging set of ...Read More > >

By Tina Perinotto Listed companies and major banks, expected to form the basis of a carbon credit market, are on a collision course with property rights unless a clear security of title for carbon credits is developed, Australia’s leading valuers say. The problem is that the majority of carbon credits, or carbon ...Read More > >

by Tony Rose The National Greenhouse and Energy Act requires certain businesses to report on their energy use, production, and greenhouse gas emissions. Property groups will be affected by many aspects of the legislation — particularly as contractor and joint venture GHG emissions need to be considered as well as the ...Read More > >

by Charmian Barton Significant changes to the Contaminated Land Management Act 1997 (NSW) came into effect on 1 July 2009.  Businesses who own, lease or manage contaminated land in New South Wales may find themselves liable for contamination where they previously had no responsibility. Changes under the Contaminated Land Management Amendment Act ...Read More > >

by James Paton It may not be part of the Rudd Government’s plan, but laws designed to tackle climate change are turning into a highly welcome economic stimulus for lawyers and accountants. While a number of these professional firms are shooing redundancy victims out the back door, inside they are strengthening ...Read More > >

by Dariel De Sousa and Barnaby Chessell ... 18 June - The effects of climate change on our physical environment are varied and many.  One consequence of climate change of particular relevance for the planning system is sea level rise. Climate change contributes to sea level rise in two main ways: •    ...Read More > >

18 June - BRIEF: Changes to the guidelines contained in the new s 60 of the Contaminated Land Management Act 1997  in NSW, have provided some breathing space to property owners. The maximum penalty for failing to report a contaminated site to DECC is $165,000 with a further penalty of $77,000 ...Read More > >

By Tina Perinotto The Department of Climate Change will take a soft approach to businesses who have accidental trouble managing their compliance the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007. Not so if the behaviour is deliberate or criminal, according to an advisory note published in May by Clayton Utz special council ...Read More > >

by Lynne Blundell As social awareness of climate change grows around the world so does the power of green marketing and branding. But there is growing concern that some organisations promoting their green credentials are engaging in unjustified claims, also known as ‘greenwashing’. According to law firm, Maddocks, in its latest newsletter ...Read More > >

By Charmian Barton Recent changes to NSW contaminated land law could mean businesses who own, lease or manage contaminated land in NSW will be liable for contamination where previously they were not. The Contaminated Land Management Amendment Act 2008 (NSW), which came into effect on 10 December 2008, has given the Environment Protection ...Read More > >