Safeguard Mechanism in Practice: Lessons for Reform

Description

Introduced in 2016 and reformed in 2023, the Safeguard Mechanism has become a central pillar of Australia’s industrial decarbonisation framework. The scheme now imposes declining emissions baselines on large facilities, supported by new compliance options—including tradable Safeguard Mechanism Credits—while retaining access to Australian Carbon Credit Units.

Bringing together leading researchers and practitioners, this webinar will explore early corporate responses to Australia’s reformed Safeguard Mechanism, consider implications of these developments in light of the forthcoming statutory review, share emerging insights into early compliance behaviours under the Safeguard Mechanism, and explore options for reform.

As the statutory review approaches, attention is increasingly focused on how regulated entities are responding in practice, and whether the mechanism is delivering emissions reductions consistent with Australia’s climate targets.