Government submissions
CAR is dedicated to translating our research into positive policy outcomes. That's why CAR provides submissions to government departments to inform their policy-making process. We provide submissions on areas related to our research programs and expertise. Below you will find CAR's latest submissions.
Submission on the New South Wales Protection of the Environment Operations Amendment (Clean Air) Bill 2021
28th June 2021
We provided a submission on the NSW Protection of the Environment Operations Amendment (Clean Air) Bill 2021.
We commend and support any legislative amendment that reduces the permitted emission of harmful pollutant concentrations from fossil-fuelled energy sources. Adverse health effects result from particulate matter exposure occur even at low levels. As such, there is no safe level of air pollution exposure in terms of human health. We recommend the pursuit of increasingly stringent concentration standards for existing fossil-fuelled energy sources in future, and strongly oppose the approval of new fossil-fuelled energy sources.
Our submission and others can be found on the Parliament of NSW website here.
Consultation on the New South Wales Government’s Draft Clean Air Strategy
22 April 2021
We provided a submission on the consultation on the NSW Government's Draft Clean Air Strategy.
We support the general thrust of the draft NSW Clean Air Strategy and commend the NSW Government for its recognition of, and commitment to, a number of important actions across the five priority areas identified in the Strategy. We do, however, emphasise that additional actions are required to reduce domestic wood heater and coal mining emissions. Further, a rapid transition to electric vehicles is necessary to address transport-related emissions.
There is no safe level of air pollution and data presented in the Strategy demonstrate the substantial health impacts associated with poor air quality in NSW from a range of sources. The implementation of additional actions that strengthen the commitment to emissions reduction in identified priority areas will lead to reductions in health impacts that place undue pressure on the health system and unnecessarily burden the economy.
Consultation on light and heavy vehicle emission standards for cleaner air.
25 February 2021
We provided a submission on the consultation on light and heavy vehicle emission standards for cleaner air to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.
We strongly support the transition to the most stringent Euro standards as soon as possible in Australia. These interventions will lead to reductions in preventable deaths, hospitalisations and GP visits in Australia as a result of reducing community exposure to vehicle emissions.
Royal Commission into bushfires
16 Apr 2020
CAR provided a submission to the Royal Commission on Bushfires. The commission aims to examine coordination, preparedness for, response to and recovery from disasters as well as improving resilience and adapting to changing climatic conditions and mitigating the impact of natural disasters.
Submission to the NSW committee on health impacts of exposure to bushfire smoke
12 Mar 2020
CAR provided a submission to the NSW committee looking at the "Health impacts of exposure to poor levels of air quality resulting from bushfires and drought". We provided a comprehensive submission on the impacts of bushfire smoke on health, particularly on vulnerable populations.
Submission to the NEPS
30 Jan 2020
CAR provided a submission on the need and characteristics of a National Environmental Prediction System (NEPS). As part of the 2016 National Research Infrastructure Roadmap it was identified that investment was needed to establish a NEPS, as part of the Earth and Environmental Systems focus area.
Sustainability of energy supply and resources in NSW
12 Sep 2019
This inquiry was looking at the capacity and economic opportunities of renewable energy. It will also cover trends in energy supply and exports, including investment and other financial arrangements, and effects on regional communities, water security, the environment and public health. CAR outlined that there is a lack of consideration on the health aspects of energy transitions.
Queensland Draft Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy
04 Apr 2019
CAR's submission to the Queensland Government’s Draft Waste Management and Resource Recover Strategy. Our submission focused on waste-to-energy (WtE) processes, which should be considered when waste cannot be avoided, reduced, recycled or re-purposed.
Review of waste policy
04 Oct 2018
CAR made a submission in response to the Department of Environment's call for feedback on a discussion paper to review the 2009 National Waste Policy. Our key message was the need to prioritise waste reduction and reuse over waste-to-energy pathways.
National Pollution Inventory Review
09 Aug 2018
The National Air Pollution Inventory (NPI) provides data on 93 substances that have been identified as important due to their possible effect on human health and the environment. The NPI is currently being reviewed and CAR has provided a submission highlighting the need for the NPI but also where improvements could be made.
Select Committee on Electric Vehicles
26 Jul 2018
In June 2018, the Senate established the Select Committee on Electric Vehicles to inquire into the use and manufacture of electric vehicles in Australia. CAR proposed that while the uptake of electric vehicles is likely to reduce air pollution and improve respiratory health (only if clean energy is used to generate electricity), there are more health benefits to be derived by investing in active transportation and improved urban design.
Clean Air for All Victorians: Victoria’s Air Quality Statement
28 Jun 2018
In May 2018, the Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change released Clean Air for All Victorians – Victoria’s Air Quality Statement. CAR provided a joint submission with CAUL, Melbourne Energy Institute and University of Melbourne.
Proposed national approach to product stewardship action on environmental impacts of products
03 May 2018
As product types are changing and increasing, managing their impacts on the environment (from waste produced throughout their lifecycle) is becoming increasingly complex. In May, the Department of Environment and Energy requested submissions to two of its documents, which aimed to set out a framework for prioritising which products should be looked at by Australian Governments. In its submission, CAR proposed that looking at the health impacts of a product's lifecycle is key.
Better fuel for clean air: Draft regulation impact statement.
13 Mar 2018
As part of a Review of Fuel Standards, the federal Department of Environment and Energy opened up submissions to its 'Better fuel for cleaner air discussion paper'. Read CAR's submission to this below.