Native forest biomass in the Renewable Energy Target: consultation paper

Consultation Outcome

Over 2,900 submissions were received during the consultation period between 30 September and 21 October 2022. Many of these submissions raised strong and longstanding community views, including that the eligibility of native forest biomass may provide an incentive for increased harvesting of native forests and could contribute to negative environmental impacts.

In response to the consultation, the Government amended the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001 to change the meaning of wood waste. This means that native forest biomass is no longer considered wood waste for the purposes of the RET, and Large-scale Generation Certificates cannot be created for electricity generated from native forest biomass.

The amendments are expected to increase public confidence that electricity generated through the RET is ecologically sustainable and contributes to reducing emissions in Australia, consistent with the objects of the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 and the Government’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43 per cent by 2030.

Overview

The government is consulting the public on potential amendments to the eligibility of electricity generated from native forest biomass in the Renewable Energy Target (RET).

Stakeholders have expressed long-standing concerns regarding the eligibility of electricity generated from native forest biomass for support through the RET.

The government has agreed to consult on potential regulatory amendments to address concerns while not undermining sustainable native forest industries and limiting any impact on existing projects.

Key details

Submissions should consider whether the eligibility for native forest wood waste should be removed or remain in place. If it is to remain, submissions should consider whether the existing arrangements are effective in achieving the objectives of the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000, and any relevant options for regulatory amendments that would help to better deliver on these objectives and support public confidence in the scheme.

Any proposed amendments to the operation of the RET should limit their impact on existing projects that have invested and acted in good faith in accordance with existing arrangements, and be proportionate to relevant costs, benefits, risks and opportunities.

Consultation documents

Stakeholders should consider the consultation paper and respond to the questions in the paper through written submissions:

• Consultation Paper: Native forest wood waste in the Renewable Energy Target [251KB PDF] [75KB DOCX]