ABOUT THE NATIONAL GREENHOUSE AND ENERGY REPORTING ACT
Updated 2 July 2009
The National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007
(the NGER Act) came into effect on 29 September 2007. The NGER Act introduces a single national reporting 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 Carbon Pollution Reduction 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
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.
- National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Streamlining Protocol Fact Sheet - (PDF 155 KB)
- National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Streamlining Protocol Fact Sheet - (RTF 8140 KB)
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.
Chapter 7 of the White Paper issued on 15 December 2008, Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme: Australia's low pollution future, contains more information on the relationship between the NGER Act and the CPRS.
*A greenhouse gas project is defined as an activity or series of activities designed to removed or reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases. The Regulations and associated guidance for voluntary reporting of greenhouse gas projects are yet to be finalised.
News
June 2009
- The National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (Measurement) Amendment Determination 2009 was placed onto the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments on 26 June 2009. This legislative instrument amends the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (Measurement) Determination 2008 and is applicable for the 2009-10 reporting year.
- Proposed amendments to the NGER Amendment Bill 2009 will introduce the ‘Reporting Transfer Certificate’ (RTC) concept. These provisions would be voluntary, reduce administration and economic costs on industry and increase flexibility in establishing reporting arrangements under the NGER system prior to the deadline for reporting for the first NGER reporting year of 2008 –2009
- OSCAR Introductory Workshops for NGER - Corporations registered under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) Act 2007 can now begin entering greenhouse and energy data into OSCAR, the online reporting tool. The Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Office is offering limited Introductory Workshops for registered corporations and those likely to be required to report. It is mandatory for registered corporations under the NGER Act to enter their reports via OSCAR.
- To help corporations meet their obligations under the NGER Act we recommend attendance at these free workshops, which are being rolled out in all major capital cities during June and July 2009.
SIGN UP NOW! More information about OSCAR Introductory Workshops for NGER.
May 2009
- The Greenhouse and Energy Data Officer (GEDO) has prepared the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Compliance and Enforcement Policy. The purpose of the policy is to inform stakeholders about how the GEDO intends to manage compliance and enforcement under NGER legislation.
- The period for public comment on the draft amendments to the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (Measurement) Determination 2008 is now closed.
March 2009
- The NGER Amendment Bill 2009 was introduced in parliament on 18 March 2009.
- Amendments to the NGER Act commenced on 15 March 2009. The amendments enable the Greenhouse and Energy Data Officer to publish additional information reported by corporations, and make a number of administrative enhancements to better reflect the policy intent of the NGER Act. About the legislation.
- Amendments to the NGER Regulations commenced on 15 March 2009. These amendments were required as a result of the passage of the NGER Amendment Act 2008,and also make a number of minor edits and clarifications. About the legislation
- The exposure draft of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2009 includes a number of amendments to the NGER Act. Submissions closed on 14 April 2009.
February 2009
- An exposure draft of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Amendment Bill 2009 was released for public comment.
- A consultation paper on the proposed amendment to public disclosure of corporate level energy production data under the NGER Act was released for public comment.
January 2009
- Feedback was sought on draft amendments to the NGER Regulations in January.
- External Audit consultation paper - written submissions now available
- The presentation on the external audit framework from the workshops held in October 2008 is now available.
