Draft revised Environmental Factor Guideline - Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Overview

The EPA is reviewing its Environmental Factor Guideline – Greenhouse Gas Emissions (EFG GHG).

The purpose of the EFG GHG is to communicate how GHG emissions are considered by the EPA in the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process.

Since the guideline was first published in April 2020, greenhouse gas emissions from nine  significant proposals have been assessed and conditions recommended that require proponents to achieve net zero by 2050 or earlier.

The review seeks to address a range of issues considered by the EPA since the guideline was first published. While the review proposes a range of changes, the fundamental elements of the guidelines are proposed to stay the same.  

What has the EPA considered in its review to date?

The EPA acknowledge that climate science and policy is a rapidly evolving space. To date, the EPA’s review has considered a range of matters including:

• The most recent climate science for example recent reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
• Western Australia’s emissions profile and recent inventory reporting
• The EPA’s objective and the EPA’s view about reducing the contribution of Western Australia’s emissions to limit global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees
• Recent amendments to the Environmental Protection Act 1986, and policy developments
• Clarified information requirements for the EPA including emissions estimates, scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, Greenhouse Gas Management Plans, best practice and offset integrity

Download the Draft Revised Environmental Factor Guideline – Greenhouse Gas Emissions HERE.

See the key changes to the guidance HERE.

As part of the review the EPA is seeking stakeholder and community feedback on the revised draft. Have your say until 21 September 2022 on the updated draft guideline.

What happens next

This Consultation on Draft revised Environmental Factor Guideline - Greenhouse Gas Emissions has now closed.