Environmental, social and governance in Australia

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Doing business in Australia - Environmental, social and governance

November 18, 2024

Australia: Companies in Australia face increasing regulatory oversight and reporting obligations, particularly around environmental, social, and governance issues, with a specific focus on sustainability and climate-related risks.

Section 4.15 mandatory considerations of climate change

October 1, 2024

Australia: The recent Land and Environment Court of NSW decision of Denman Aberdeen Muswellbrook Scone Healthy Environment Group Inc v MACH Energy Australia Pty Ltd [2024] NSWLEC 86, concerned the judicial review of a decision of the Independent Planning Commission of NSW (Commission) to grant development consent to extend the life of the Mount Pleasant Coal Mine. In his decision, his Honour Justice Robson confirmed the Court’s position regarding the Commission’s functions and the statutory provisions that govern the performance of those functions and the exercise of its relevant powers – in the context of climate change and the impact of greenhouse gas emissions.

Greenwashing in Australia: ASIC’s first case before the Federal Court finalised with a penalty of AU$11.3 million

August 22, 2024

Australia: On 2 August 2024, the Federal Court declared that Mercer Superannuation had made representations liable to mislead the public about the future nature and characteristics of its Sustainable Plus Options. The “greenwashing” case was brought by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Court was satisfied that Mercer had contravened the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 (Cth), on the basis of the Statement of Agreed Facts and Admissions put forward by the parties.

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Recent Press Releases

Dentons advises on landmark conservation agreement for Nari Nari Tribal Council

February 25, 2023

Dentons advised the Nari Nari Tribal Council on a landmark Conservation Agreement with the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust for the management and protection of over 55,000 hectares of internationally significant wetlands in southwestern New South Wales, known as 'Gayini (Nimmie-Caira)'.