• 19 Nov 2009 - Insolvency Spring Training & End of year drinks (Sydney)
• 25 Nov 2009 - Directors' and Officers' duties in uncertain markets (Sydney)
• 25 Nov 2009 - Hosting AMPLA twilight seminar (Newcastle)
• 26 Nov 2009 - Current issues in confidentiality and privacy (Melbourne)

• Daryl Gray
• Matthew Smith
• Alan McKelvey
• Carlo Zoppo

NGERS Streamlining Protocol - Reducing the administrative burden

November 2009

In order to address concern about the administrative burden placed on corporations to report greenhouse and energy data, State and Federal Governments have developed the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Streamlining Protocol.
At the moment, Corporations may be subject to a range of reporting requirements under the following State or Federal schemes in addition to the requirements under the NGERS:

• ABARE Fuel and Electricity Survey (Commonwealth);
• Energy Efficiency Opportunities (Commonwealth);
• Greenhouse Friendly (Commonwealth);
• Generator Efficiency Standards (Commonwealth);
• National Greenhouse Gas Inventory (Commonwealth);
• Energy Savings Action Plans (NSW);
• Ecobiz (Queensland);
• Smart Energy Savings Program (Queensland);
• South Australian Greenhouse Strategy (South Australia);
• Environment & Resource Efficiency Plans (Victoria); and
• Industry Greenhouse Program (Victoria).

In extreme cases this may mean that some companies are preparing up to eight different reports.  Senator Wong has stated that the Protocol will be used by all Governments to streamline reporting requirements for existing and future greenhouse and energy programs and to establish a standard national approach for collecting greenhouse and energy information.

Specific streamlining actions for programs have also been agreed by COAG. These include amending mandatory and voluntary reporting requirements to streamline data collection and further developing the online reporting system (OSCAR) to allow for streamlined reports to be submitted. Development of OSCAR will commence in the second half of 2009.

For further information on the Government's revised approach to streamlining of energy and emissions reporting, click here.

Links to related pages:

• NGERS Update - November 2009
• New NGERS reporting thresholds and penalties for non-compliance
• Amendments to the NGERS
• NGERS Consultation - Audit Determination and Measurement Determination
• Conclusion - NGERS - What the changes mean for business

For further information on NGERS or climate change issues, please contact the author:

Carlo Zoppo | Senior Associate
Sparke Helmore Lawyers | Sydney
p: 61 2 9373 3592
e: carlo.zoppo@sparke.com.au