National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting

The National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 (the NGER Act) introduced a national framework for the reporting and dissemination of information about the greenhouse gas emissions, greenhouse gas projects, and energy use and production of corporations.

The objectives of the NGER Act are to:

  • underpin the introduction of an emissions trading scheme
  • inform government policy formulation and the Australian public
  • help meet Australia’s international reporting obligations
  • assist Commonwealth, state and territory government programs and activities
  • avoid the duplication of similar reporting requirements in the states and territories

The first annual reporting period began on 1 July 2008.

Corporations that meet an NGER threshold must report their:

  • greenhouse gas emissions
  • energy production
  • energy consumption
  • other information specified under NGER legislation

The Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Office privacy statement applies to information collected by the office for administration the NGER Act.

How will greenhouse and energy reporting be streamlined?

Australian, state and territory governments have agreed to a standard national approach to greenhouse and energy reporting, the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Streamlining Protocol. This initiative will reduce the red tape on business created by multiple and varying program reporting requirements. Implementation of the Protocol was agreed through the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) and will be used by governments to streamline reporting requirements for existing and future greenhouse and energy programs. The Protocol covers reporting requirements relating to energy consumption and production, greenhouse gas emissions, intensity indicators, energy audits, action plans, energy savings, greenhouse gas reductions, and projections.

How does the NGER Act relate to the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS)?

The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) is part of the Australian Government’s strategy to reduce Australia’s carbon pollution by 60 percent of 2000 levels by 2050. The NGER Act will underpin the CPRS, providing the emissions data on which obligations under the CPRS will be based. NGER legislation will require amendments to allow for reporting under the CPRS. Not all corporations that report under existing NGER legislation will be subject to CPRS liabilities.