Fines or Up to 7 Years Jail for Increasing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Without Permission
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Climate Trigger) Bill 2022
Private Member's BillSenate
House of Representatives
Assent
Topics
carbon budget carbon emissions climate change criminal penalties emissions control environment environmental protection government oversight greenhouse gas emissions
Introduced by: Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (GRN)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
People who take actions likely to produce 25 kilotonnes or more of greenhouse gas emissions per year without approval can be fined or jailed for up to 7 years.
Individuals face civil penalties of 5,000 penalty units (2026: $1,820,000) and bodies corporate face 50,000 penalty units (2026: $18,200,000) for these emissions.
The Climate Change Minister cannot approve any action that has a prohibited impact on emissions (100 kilotonnes or more per year).
The Climate Change Minister must consider Australia's national carbon budget and international climate goals when deciding whether to approve an action.
If the Climate Change Minister believes an action will have a prohibited impact on emissions, they must warn the person, agencies, and employees that they could be fined or jailed.
The Climate Change Authority must set a recommended national carbon budget for Australia for the period from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2050.