Australia has a mature regulatory system for carbon management technologies, including carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects. The country hosts a range of CCS initiatives at various stages of development, including two operational dedicated geological storage projects, and it boasts strong technical, research, and scientific capabilities.

Carbon management technologies (CMT)—which include CCS, carbon capture and use (CCU), and carbon dioxide removal (CDR)—are key components of Australia’s broader strategy to reduce emissions and meet its legislated net-zero target by 2050. Decarbonisation policy measures, such as the Safeguard Mechanism, neither mandate nor exclude specific technologies, allowing Australia’s largest industrial facilities to determine their own approaches to emissions reduction.

The Asia CCUS Network (ACN) Secretariat, in collaboration with member country Australia, will host the 20th ACN Knowledge Sharing Conference, titled 'Australia’s Policy and Regulatory Landscape for Carbon Management Technologies.'

Ms. Frances Page Pimenta from the Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will provide an overview of the current policy and regulatory context in Australia. Her presentation will also explore how carbon management technologies relate to broader policy measures, including:

• The Safeguard Mechanism, which targets emissions reductions at Australia’s largest industrial facilities;

• The Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme, which supports projects that reduce emissions or store carbon;

• The National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) framework, which includes mandatory reporting requirements for CCS projects.

Ms. Rachel Hingley-Wilson and Mr. Tom Barratt from the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) will provide insights into the Authority’s role in regulating environmental and safety aspects of offshore carbon management activities.

Attendees will gain technical and regulatory insights into Australia’s approach to carbon management technologies as part of its net-zero pathway and broader decarbonisation efforts.