Australia 2020 Summit - Population, sustainability, climate change, water and the future of our cities

Here are "Population, sustainability, climate change, water and the future of our cities" items accepted by the Australian Government in its "Responding to the Australia 2020 Summit" on 22 April 2009:

Climate change and sustainability issues are some of the greatest economic, social, and environmental challenges of our time. As the driest inhabited continent on earth, Australia experiences severe drought and water shortages and is vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Australia also has a carbon intensive economy and reducing carbon emissions will be challenging. The Government believes that meeting this challenge is critical and is committed to the reduction of greenhouse pollution in Australia, as well as actively preparing for an altered climate in the near future.

Participants in the Sustainability Stream at the 2020 Summit agreed that Australia should aspire to be a leader in taking effective action on climate change and water management, with environmental issues integrated into household, business and government decision making. Other key ideas included a robust national emissions trading scheme, a focus on a healthy Australian ecology, incorporation of environmental considerations into economic assessments and the development of sustainable cities.

The Sustainability Stream developed a broad range of ambitions, themes and ideas that have influenced and guided the Government's policy in this area, including:

• Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme - The Government is committed to a Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme commencing in 2010. The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme White Paper was released on 15 December 2008 and outlines the design of the national emissions trading scheme, including a mid-term target range of a 5 to 15 per cent reduction in emissions below 2000 levels by 2020. This sets Australia on a path to achieve its long term goal of a 60 per cent reduction in emissions from 2000 levels by 2050.

• Intergovernmental Agreement on the Murray-Darling Basin Reform - The Government is working hard to secure water supplies and restore the Murray-Darling Basin to a sustainable footing. On 3 July 2008, the Australian, New South Wales, Victorian, Queensland, South Australian and the Australian Capital Territory governments signed an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) on Murray-Darling Basin Reform. Under the IGA, governments committed to a new culture and practice of Basin-wide management and planning, through new structures and partnerships. On 4 December 2008, the Federal Parliament passed the Water Amendment Bill 2008, giving effect to crucial reforms on the management of the Murray-Darling Basin. As part of the Government's Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan, the Government has agreed to accelerate water purchases for the environment and targeted infrastructure investments.

• Skills for the Carbon Challenge - The Government recognises that equipping workers and businesses with skills for sustainability will be essential if Australia is to take the opportunities presented by a transition to a low carbon economy. The new Skills for the Carbon Challenge program will accelerate the response of both industry and the tertiary education sector to climate change by auditing current skills gaps, investing in training infrastructure and providing incentives for industry to take up skills for sustainability.

The following tables provide the Government's response to the ideas raised by the Sustainability Stream at the 2020 Summit.

Key ideas being taken forward by the Government

Topic	2020 proposed ideas	Government response
Climate Change - Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Also raised by: Economy	Introduce an Emissions Trading Scheme and transition to clean energy technologies. Invest in a carbon tax to create internationally competitive markets, such as reinvesting in research and development of clean technology. This would give domestic industry a chance to solve national problems, obtain an international advantage, and use the solution to create further export opportunities. Establish a National Climate Strategy for transforming Australia to a green economy with technologies that could be exported globally. Establish institutions for the long term management and oversight of carbon risk - a single, independent clean energy authority, in the manner of the Reserve Bank of Australia. 'Climate-proof' the economy, remove anomalies and inconsistencies in planning, zoning, building codes, inefficient and distorting taxes, subsidies and regulations.	The Government is committed to a Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) commencing in 2010. The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme White Paper was released on 15 December 2008 and outlines the design of the national emissions trading scheme, including a mid-term target range of a 5 to 15 per cent reduction in emissions from 2000 levels by 2020. The 5 per cent reduction represents an unconditional commitment by Australia to reduce emissions even if no international agreement to do so is reached. This sets Australia on a path to achieve its long term goal of a 60 per cent reduction from 2000 levels by 2050. The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme White Paper proposes that a scheme regulator be created with powers to monitor compliance, educate liable entities, investigate suspected non-compliance and initiate enforcement action if necessary. The scheme is specifically designed to link with international developments in this area.
Climate Change - Personal Carbon Footprint	Before 2020 all Australians should have the tools to enable them to measure and manage their personal carbon footprints. This could include access to smart meters for energy and water consumption. Introduce a Green tick (similar to the Heart Foundation tick) as a mechanism to educate consumers on the environmental impact and carbon intensity of their consumption choices. Track sustainability performances with something visible that will help people change their behaviour.	Agree in-part. In the CPRS White Paper, the Government committed to supporting households by delivering energy efficiency measures and providing consumer information so that households can save on their energy bills. In the 2008-09 Budget the Government also committed $14 million to implementing a 10-star energy labelling system for appliances and introducing minimum greenhouse and energy standards for appliances. Furthermore, in June 2008, the Government committed to a staged approach for the national roll-out of smart meters. The Government is currently working with the energy industry and the states and territories to develop and implement national standards for these meters to ensure that compatible technologies are used across Australia.
Climate Change - Low-emissions Energy Also raised by: Productivity	Direct further investment into research, development and deployment to enable a low-emissions energy revolution. Create a national clean energy portfolio of several flagship projects - in 'natural advantage' categories such as agriculture, clean coal and renewable sources of energy.	Agree. Reflecting many of the ideas raised at the Summit, the Government has already announced a number of new initiatives to develop a low-emissions economy: The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, which will commence in 2010, will create incentives for low-emissions technology The Government has made a commitment to 20 per cent renewable energy by 2020 through the expanded national Renewable Energy Target The National Low Emissions Coal Council and Carbon Storage Taskforce have commenced development of the $500 million National Low Emissions Coal Initiative Australia is leading a Global Carbon Capture and Storage Initiative, committing $100 million per annum to accelerate the development and deployment of carbon capture and storage technology The $500 million Renewable Energy Fund is supporting the development, commercialisation and deployment of renewable energy in Australia The $150 million Energy Innovation Fund is supporting critical clean energy technology research in areas such as solar power The $3.9 billion Energy Efficient Homes Package will deliver up to $1,600 in ceiling insulation to home owner-occupiers or a rebate on the costs of installing a solar hot water system. It will also provide help for renters, with a rebate of up to $1,000 for landlords on the costs of insulating rental properties. This package will result in ceiling insulation for around 2.7 million homes The Australian Government has also allocated $240 million over four years to establish a Clean Business Australia partnership with Australian business and industry for tackling climate change.
Climate Change - Linking with Regional Partners	Link with regional partners to address climate issues.	Agree. Australia is already working with partners, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, on practical actions that contribute to the global effort to respond to climate change. Since 2002, seven bilateral partnerships have been established with China, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, USA, UK and the European Union, under which more than 70 projects have been undertaken. Examples of international programs include the International Forests Carbon Initiative (IFCI), International Climate Change Adaptation Initiative and Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (APP).
Climate Change - National Climate Adaptation Strategy Also raised by: Rural	'Climate-proof' the economy: not just thinking 'locking up' areas, include carbon offsets, biodiversity banking, stewardship, and caring for country. Valuing and caring for biodiversity are essential. Fundamentally change the approach to agriculture by recognising the new opportunities and services climate change might bring.	Agree in-principle. The Government recognises the importance of preparing Australia for the impacts of unavoidable climate change and will continue to improve the nation's capacity to adapt to climate change through the COAG Working Group on Climate Change and Water. The $130 million Australia's Farming Future initiative will assist primary producers to adapt to climate change. Both COAG and the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council have identified biodiversity as a priority for climate change adaptation. The Government is taking action to address the impacts of climate change on biodiversity through activities such as the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility. The Government has increased funding for Australia's National Reserve System, a nation-wide network of reserves established to protect Australia's environment. This network is part of the Government's Caring for our Country initiative which focuses on achieving a healthy, protected and well-managed environment.
	Establish a website that progressively charts climate change impacts across Australia. Establish an independent Australian Climate Information Authority to disseminate evidence-based information rather than advocacy.	Agree in-principle. Existing data published by the CSIRO, the Bureau of Meteorology and of the Australian Climate Change Science Program maps the impacts of climate change across Australia. In addition the Department of Climate Change website provides information on the impacts of climate change across Australia. Work continues on assessing the impacts of climate change across Australia, including through the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility.
Skills for the Carbon Challenge	Introduce a world-class climate change education program that includes developing applied science capacity, green economy skills and training, a clean energy corps, and 'eco-education' embedded in school curricula. Facilitate investment in technology, infrastructure and industry skills to achieve greater diversity in supply. Foster multi-disciplinary cross-industry training and skills development in the water industry - including hydrology, climatology, ecology and economics.	Agree. The Government recognises that equipping workers and businesses with skills for sustainability will be essential if Australia is to take the opportunities presented by a transition to a low carbon economy. The new Skills for the Carbon Challenge program will accelerate the response of both industry and the tertiary education sector to climate change by auditing current skills gaps, investing in training infrastructure and providing incentives for industry to take up skills for sustainability. This program reflects many of the ideas discussed at the Summit.

Water Management and Reform Also raised by: Rural	Expand use of a wider range of market mechanisms to acquire over-allocated water. Determine the process for the community to define the objectives and trade-offs to achieve sustainability. Identify key environmental assets and defining objectives and measurable criteria for system health and water quality. Improve scenario planning to take account of future system changes. Undertake research into the most efficient way of moving water around Australia. Undertake institutional and market reform based on water systems, not state boundaries, with participatory governance that engages the local community. Streamline the regulation of water markets. Improved water security for existing users. Facilitate investment in technology, infrastructure and industry skills to achieve greater diversity in supply. Support institutional and market reform - including proper pricing for water and competitive access for the private sector in delivery and distribution. Implement a demand management strategy, including standards for water infrastructure, fixtures and appliances. Increase the level of water sourced from climate-resilient supply options over time. Foster multi-disciplinary cross-industry training and skills development in the water industry - including hydrology, climatology, ecology and economics. Provide additional water infrastructure (including new dams) across Australia through a national program funded jointly by government and the private sector. Deliver innovative, efficient and cost-effective water savings and modernisation programs in established agricultural areas.	Through its $12.9 billion Water for the Future initiative, the Government is funding infrastructure projects to secure water supplies through recycling, desalination, urban stormwater harvesting and improving the efficient use of water. The initiative includes: The $5.8 billion Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure program to improve irrigation efficiency The $1 billion National Urban Water and Desalination Plan to support desalination, water recycling and stormwater reuse. In rural areas, the Government is working with the states and territories to improve key irrigation infrastructure to minimise system losses and enhance the efficient use of water. In addition, the Government has funded the $82 million Groundwater Action Plan: $50 million - Groundwater Assessment Initiative $2 million - Knowledge and Capacity Building $30 million - Centre for Groundwater Research and Training. In July 2008, the Australian, New South Wales, Victorian, Queensland, South Australian and the Australian capital Territory Governments signed the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) on Murray-Darling Basin Reform. Under the IGA, governments committed to a new culture and practice of Basin-wide management and planning, and to a new approach to partnerships with the community. In November 2008, COAG agreed to a number of initiatives to improve the operation of water markets and trading through faster processing of temporary water trades, and to coordinate water information and research through the development of national water modelling strategy and a national water research strategy. On 4 December 2008, the Federal Parliament passed the Water Amendment Bill 2008, giving effect to crucial reforms on the management of the Murray-Darling Basin.
Urban Sustainability - National Energy Efficiency Strategy Also raised by: Communities	Introduce an energy efficiency strategy for every sector (leveraging our natural advantages - at low cost). Climate-proof low-income households - for example using compact fluorescent light globes, low-flow shower roses, and home energy audits. Include specific measures in climate change strategies to support low-income households to adjust (for example, funding for household modifications). Take a methodical approach to rolling this out locally (for example, house-to-house approach, tradespeople going street by street) and increase local employment and opportunities for community enterprises to implement this. Include the agriculture and energy sectors (high-emission sectors), with all buildings to be green by 2020 and flow-ons to all other parts of the economy.	In October 2008, COAG agreed to develop a National Strategy for Energy Efficiency to help households and businesses prepare for the introduction of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. The strategy includes options for the development of national legislation for appliance energy performance standards to reduce transaction costs for business. The Government is considering further action in this area. The Government's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme White Paper sets out a new package of financial assistance for Australian households worth around $6 billion a year to be funded from the sale of carbon pollution permits. In addition, the $3.9 billion Energy Efficient Homes Package will provide up to $1,600 for installing ceiling insulation for Australian home owner‑occupiers and $1,000 for installing insulation in private rental properties. This package will result in ceiling insulation for around 2.7 million homes.
National Waste Policy Also raised by: Productivity	Create a closed-loop economy to create a zero-waste society - a manufacturing system that deals with its own waste, minimising its ecological footprint. Recognise the need to reduce landfill, perhaps through providing credit for landfill avoidance, reducing the cost of recycling, everything produced being recycled as far as possible, and resource recovery with waste as a feedstock for other industries. This would reduce energy costs. Consider the 'Factor 10' concept to reduce resource consumption (that is, reduce our impact by a factor of 10 by 2020 and support collaboration and cooperation by a factor of 10). Transform the ecological footprint of the built environment by taking the lead on national planning, building and product standards to minimise waste and energy consumption in our homes and in our neighbourhoods.	The Government is giving priority to the development of a National Waste policy, which is scheduled to be released in 2009. The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme will also cover landfill sites, creating new incentives for efficient waste management.

Sustainable Cities Also raised by: Communities	Lead a nationally consistent approach to urban and regional planning which drives water efficiency and reductions in emissions; i.e. a National Sustainable Cities Program. This could be supported by the implementation of tax and other policies that encourage the use of public transport relative to other modes of transport. Development of an urban design strategy for all towns and cities, including physical infrastructure, that would encourage social connectedness. Rethink urban design to encourage social connectedness. National Sustainable Cities Program - water efficiency. Undertake a national agenda to plan for cities and population through establishment of a planning commission type organisation that sets goals and targets for cities. Improve public transport for people to access opportunities for work, recreation and community involvement.	Agree in-principle. The Government is providing urban planning policy leadership through the creation of the Major Cities Unit within the Infrastructure portfolio, announced on 30 April 2008. This Unit's task is to identify opportunities where federal leadership can make a difference to the prosperity and sustainability of our cities and the wellbeing of their residents. The Water for the Future initiative and COAG's further work on urban water, water efficiency and sustainable buildings are also addressing this issue. In November 2008, COAG agreed to the adoption of the enhanced national urban water reform framework to improve the security of urban water supplies. Australia's Future Tax System Review will also consider the issues of fuel, roads and transport, including the efficiency of existing taxes. It will explore possible opportunities to move to more targeted taxes and user charges that promote the efficient use of transport networks.
Consumer Information - Environmental Hubs for Consumers	Create environmental hubs where consumers can go for information and answers.	Agree. The Government's new $3 million One Stop Green Shop initiative will provide the Australian community with a single 'window' to all government environmental programs for sustainability at home.

Metrics - Sustainable Company Reporting	Encourage regular company reporting against sustainability indicators.	Agree in-principle. The National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 established a regulatory framework for Australian corporations to report greenhouse gas emissions, reductions, removals and offsets, and energy consumption and production from 1 July 2008. In addition, almost 4,000 facilities from a range of industries report annually to the National Pollutant Inventory. The Energy Efficiency Opportunities program requires mandatory energy efficiency reports for Australia's largest energy users. In February 2009, COAG agreed to consider at its next meeting improving the energy efficiency of residential and commercial buildings, through new building requirements, improving national consistency and the phase-in of mandatory disclosure of the energy efficiency of commercial buildings and tenancies. Triple Bottom Line (TBL) reporting is also becoming an accepted approach for organisations to demonstrate they have strategies for sustainable growth.
Metrics - National Water Account	Collect data necessary for developing a biennial Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change-style report on the status of water systems. Publicise information on water status in annual environmental accounts.	Agree. The $450 million Improving Water Information program, announced in April 2008 and administered by the Bureau of Meteorology, will produce the annual National Water Account, supported by a national water monitoring and data collection network.

Metrics - National Environmental Accounts	Implement a set of national environmental accounts, including carbon and water accounts, to inform government, business and community decision-making. Explicitly link the environment to productivity and innovation to underpin our future competitiveness. Internalise the values from society and environment into a comprehensive reformed national accounts system. Track sustainability performance with something visible that will help people change their behaviour - environmental indicators should have the same status as economic indicators, showing trends in the ecological footprint. Apply the principle that independent measurement of key factors is crucial, but that waiting for measurement is not an excuse to do nothing. Undertake the valuation of environmental and social measures at the same level as economic measures, ensuring differentiation between 'dollarisation' and valuing.	Agree in-principle. The Government has committed to a new National Water Account maintained by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and a new National Carbon Accounting System toolbox to support the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. The Government is also looking into the establishment of a broader set of national environmental accounts. This will need to consider existing accounting mechanisms including: the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory, the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting System, the National Carbon Accounting System, the new National Water Account, and water and other environmental accounts developed and published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Biodiversity - Caring for our Country Program Also raised by: Rural	Introduce a long term stewardship incentive scheme for private landowners for the provision of ecosystem services. Actively rebuild resilience in nature and societies to avoid further loss and potential catastrophic breakdown of ecosystems. Recognise and reward environmental stewardship and biodiversity banking - perhaps set targets such as 20 per cent in protected areas by 2020.	Agree in-principle but without a commitment to the targets proposed. The Caring for our Country program commenced on 1 July 2008 and seeks to achieve an environment that is healthy, well-managed and resilient, and that provides essential ecosystem services in a changing environment. The program will be delivered in partnership with private landowners, regional natural resource management groups, local, state and territory governments, Indigenous groups, industry bodies, land managers, farmers and landcare groups.