International

• COP30 will be hosted in Belem, Brazil from 10-21 November 2025, with the Heads of State Summit held on 6-7 November. Read the COP30 President’s letters setting the broad agenda for the conference.
• On 23 July 2025, the International Court of Justice released its Advisory Opinion on states’ responsibilities for mitigation and adaptation under international law (including UNFCCC, but also broader human rights and international norms) – read the summary briefing from the Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change
• The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Climate Change has found that disinformation has undermined climate action and put human rights at risk, and called for countries to criminalise greenwashing
• The UK Supreme Court ruled that the EU’s Environment Impact Assessment Directive requires decision makers to consider the impacts of downstream greenhouse gas emissions of fossil fuel extraction projects (Scope 3 emissions)
• The European Court of Human Rights ruled that the Swiss government had violated the human rights of its citizens by failing to do enough to combat climate change (analysis of implications for Australia)

National

• The Climate Change Authority published its advice to government on 2035 emissions targets, recommending targets be set at 62 – 70% reduction on 2005 levels.  The Federal government adopted the recommended target range, and released supporting documents including a Net Zero Plan and six sector plans, based on Treasury modelling
• When announcing the revised targets, the Federal Government announced a series of other funding commitments, including a $5 billion Net Zero Fund (under the National Reconstruction Fund) to support decarbonisation at large industrial facilities and manufacturing renewable and low emissions technologies. DCCEEW is consulting on the design of the Net Zero Fund.  
• DCCEEW has released a National Climate Adaptation Plan
• DCCEEW is seeking feedback on draft guidelines for research and demonstration licensing for offshore renewable energy technologies (solar, wave and tidal generators) and investigating offshore resources.
• DCCEEW has released draft savanna fire management carbon abatement methodologies for comment, allowing projects to earn credits for carbon stored in living trees, standing dead trees and debris and avoided emissions.
• The Climate Change Authority has released a new report, Unlocking Australia’s clean energy potential, setting out  recommendations for accelerating the deployment of renewable energy
• 9 young Australians have lodged a human rights complaint with the UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change, claiming the Australia government’s failure to act on climate is violating their rights as children, people living with disabilities, First Nations people and people already impacted by climate change
• The ANAO is reviewing the administration of the Community Batteries and Household Solar funding program
• DCCEEW has released the first National Renewable Energy Priority List, identifying 56 projects across the country, including transmission and generation and storage projects
• The Federal Government has published Terms of Reference and appointed members of the Expert Panel on Atmospheric Measurement of Fugitive Methane Emissions, led by Dr Cathy Foley
• New laws requiring companies to make climate-related financial disclosures took effect from January 2025. Companies are protected from legal action until 2028

States and Territories

• ACF and ECNT have released a report on transition pathways for the Northern Territory, Recharging the Territory
• The WA government is conducting an inquiry into the  role of gas in global decarbonisation, seeking support for the claim that gas is a necessary part of global transition plans.
• The Victorian Government is consulting on new rules to manage how renewable energy projects gain access to the state’s transmission network. The regime aims to increase investor confidence and encourage development in renewable energy zones.
• The NSW government has released final details of its Future Jobs and Investment Authority package, including $27M in initial funding and better alignment with the Net Zero Economy Authority to streamline support for workers and transition communities.
• The Queensland government has ordered a review of its 75% by 2035 emissions reduction target and the law setting its renewable energy target
• Many States have introduced tough protest laws, targeting climate and forest protests (see Strengthening Democracy) 

• 28 September 2025 – administration of the Community Batteries and Household Solar program (ANAO)
• 3 October 2025 –  feedback due on Draft Research and Demonstration Licence Guideline for offshore renewable energy technologies
• 10 October 2025 – submissions to inquiry into the role of gas in global decarbonisation (WA)
• 15 October 2025 – submissions due for Net Zero Fund Design (DCCEEW)
• 17 October 2025 – submissions due to Senate inquiry into sustainable rural and regional economies
• 24 October 2025 – Offshore Decommissioning Directorate evaluation survey
• 3 November 2025 – comments on draft savanna fire management carbon abatement methodologies (DCCEEW)
• 5 November 2025 – submissions due on Victorian Access Regime
• March 2026 – ANAO review of Community Batteries for Household Solar program report

• Updating members on climate and environment laws, regional planning initiatives for renewables / transition minerals, contested projects and any related litigation
• Coordinating member collaboration in support of COP31
• Facilitating member discussions about carbon offsets and gas
• Promoting use of the Climate Change Funding Framework and Climate Lens to all funders (and updating the gaps & opportunities chapter to reflect current priorities)
• Supporting Climate Funders and Just Transitions Working Groups to discuss approaches to transition planning that maximise benefits for climate, nature, communities, and cultural heritage protections
• Working with partner organisations to promote activities calling on Federal and State governments to increase their climate ambition in the lead up to COP31

• Join the AEGN Just Transitions and Climate & Energy mailing lists to stay up to date
• Use the AEGN Climate Lens and Climate Funders Framework to guide funding decisions
• Provide long-term funding to support capacity building within organisations working on these issues
• Contact decision-makers to advocate for climate action (Contact the Advocacy Manager for support to do this)
• Contact the Program Manager – Climate Change to discuss funding and collaboration options
  
  Current Clearinghouse Projects:
  • COP31 Funding Showcase
  • Core Funding for ARCCC
  • Divers for Climate
  • Climate Action in Geelong (Real Deal Geelong Alliance)
  • Empower Elders for COP31 (Pacific Elders’ Voice)
  • Pacific Islander Fellowship Program (Edmund Rice Centre)
  • Build Leadership for Climate Resilience in the Torres Strait (Our Islands Our Home)
  • Electrify Your Council (350.org)
  • Socially Responsible Renewable Energy Development (Community Power Australia)

• Carbon Claims & Climate Integrity Toolkit (Parents for Climate)
• Climate Momentum Monitor (Climate Council)
• State of the Climate 2024 (BOM)
• Policymakers’ Toolkit for a Just Transition from Fossil Fuels (Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, June 2024)
• NetZero Australia Mobilisation Report:  How to Make Net Zero Happen  
• Net Zero Futures Policy Forum – NBS Compendium.pdf (theclimategroup.org)
• RACE for 2030, Pathways to Net Zero Precincts
• Careers for Net Zero
• Summary of the Australian Climate Case
• Critical Minerals Strategy 2023 – 2030
• First Nations Clean Energy Strategy
• Climate Finance: Taking a Position on Climate Futures (Bryant & Webber)
• EDO – 12 Principles for renewable energy transition projects
• Coal Mine Approval Tracker
• Community Engagement Review (Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner – see AEGN briefing note)
• Seizing the Moment: A New Climate Finance Goal That Delivers for the Pacific (Oxfam, 2024)
• 2023 AEGN Conference session “Getting Offsets Right”
• 2024 Member discussion “Carbon credits: The Risks”
• Gender, Climate and Environmental Justice (WELA)

Organisations working on this issue 

Useful government contacts

• Gas Town, Darwin: Greenwashing Fossil Fuel Expansion in Northern Australia– article by Dr Kirsty Howey, CEO of Environment Centre NT
• NT Government Middle Arm Precinct Plans
• Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northern Territory (the Pepper Report)  
• Senate inquiry report into oil and gas exploration in the Beetaloo basin
• EnvLaw – summaries of legal actions challenging fossil fuel projects (Chris McGrath KC)

Organisations working on this issue

Useful government contacts