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INSTITUTIONAL ASPECTS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AUSTRALIA
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INTEGRATED DECISION-MAKING
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
The Commonwealth of Australia is a federation of six
self-governing States and two self-governing
The principle of sustainable development is now broadly
accepted and built into the working programmes of the key bodies of national
governance, which bring together the National and State governments. An example
of these key bodies is the Ministerial Councils, including:
- Agriculture and Resource Management Council of
- Australian and
- MinisterialCouncil on Forestry, Fisheries and Aquaculture (MCFFA)
- Australian Transport Council
Decision Making: Legislation and Regulations
Environmental powers are not specifically dealt with in the Australian Constitution and are not the sole province of any one sphere of government. There is recognition that environment and sustainable development issues need to be addressed on a local, regional, national and international scale. This is reflected in the development of national strategies and agreements, which provide the main domestic basis for the implementation of UNCED outcomes.
A cooperative approach with strong leadership at the national
level on environmental issues has provided the cornerstone to
The 1992 Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment (IGAE) is an agreement among all spheres of government concerning their roles and responsibilities in decision making processes and sets out mechanisms for resolving national issues. The IGAE provides a framework for a cooperative approach to environmental decision making, policy development and program implementation. The IGAE recognizes the need for effective integration of environmental and economic considerations and is based on the acceptance of ESD principles by all spheres of government. Members of the Government involved in the IGAE include the following:
- Australian Government Departments: Prime Minister and Cabinet; Environment,
- Sport and Territories;
- Foreign Affairs and Trade;
- Primary Industries and Energy.
State Government Departments involved include: Premier's, New South Wales; Premier and Cabinet, Victoria; Office of the Cabinet, Queensland; Premier and Cabinet, Western Australia; Premier and Cabinet, South Australia; Premier and Cabinet, Tasmania; Chief Minister's, Northern Territory; Environment, Land and Planning, Australian Capital Territory, and Australian Local Government Association.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
· to enhance individual and community well-being and welfare by following a path of economic development that safeguards the welfare of future generations;
· to provide for equity within and between generations; and
· to protect biological diversity and maintain essential ecological processes and life-support systems.
Other key strategies which have been implemented since 1992 include the National Forest Policy Statement, the National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia's Biological Diversity, the National Greenhouse Response Strategy, the Commonwealth Coastal Policy, the National Waste Minimisation and Recycling Strategy, and the National Landcare Program.
At a national level there has been considerable work
undertaken on reviewing and monitoring national agreements and strategies. A
number of these reviews were concurrent with the five-year time frame of the
United Nations General Assembly review of progress since UNCED. The focal point
for these review processes was the senior Intergovernmental body, the Council
of Australian Governments (COAG).
The National Strategy for ESD has been reviewed on two occasions with reports on implementation prepared for 1993 and the period 1993-95. Outcomes from the second review process are currently being directed towards targeting key areas for further progress. The IGAE was reviewed in 1995, and a review of respective governmental roles and responsibilities with respect to the environment was undertaken with an overarching aim of improving the cooperative framework established under the IGAE. In parallel with this process, federal environmental legislation will also be reviewed. These reforms will encourage the implementation of ESD through better environment protection coupled with greater certainty for industry in decision-making processes.
Decision-Making: Major Groups involvement
In order to oversee the development of national strategies and
policy issues concerning the environment and ecologically sustainable
development there is a range of mechanisms, which provide an administrative and
Ministerial framework for advice and input. Overall coordination is effected
through the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), relevant Ministerial
Councils, including Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia
and New Zealand (ARMCANZ), Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation
Council (ANZECC), Murray Darling Basin Ministerial Council (MDBC), National
Environment Protection Council (NEPC) and related working groups reporting to
these bodies.
· World Wide Fund for Nature;
· Australian Conservation Foundation,
· Greenpeace;
· Australian Council for Overseas Aid;
·
National Farmers Federation;Business Council of
· Australian Council of Trade Unions;
·
Aboriginal and
· National Environmental Law Association;
·
Environment Management Industry Association of
·
· Women and the Environment Network;
· Action for Solidarity Equality Environment and Development (Youth NGO);
· Community Aid Abroad;
·
National Association of
· and Environs Australia (formerly the Municipal Conservation Association).
Since 1992 there has also been general international consensus
on the need to provide more quantifiable advice to policy makers on the
progress towards implementing sustainable development. In
Status
|
National Decision-Making Structure |
Challenges No information is available Capacity-building, Education, Training
and Awareness-raising No information is available Information No information is available Research and Technologies No information is available Financing The Federal Government recognizes the need to provide a
secure funding base for initiatives addressing The Natural Heritage Trust is based on the protection,
conservation and sustainable use of
Cooperation
* * * This information was provided by the Government of Click here for
the National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development. |
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MAJOR GROUPS
WOMEN
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination Against Women was signed on
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
Decision-Making: Major Groups involvement
No information is available
Programmes and Projects
No information is available
Status
No information is available
Challenges
No information is available
Capacity-building, Education, Training and
Awareness-raising
No information is available
Information
No information is available
Research and Technologies
No information is available
Financing
No information is available
Cooperation
Also at the international level,
* * *
This information was provided by the Government of
For information on WomenWatch
in different countries, click here:
For information on
national plans of action in the follow-up to the Beijing Conference, click
here:
CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
The Government consults with young people through the Australian Youth
Policy Action Coalition (AYPAC), the national non-government youth peak
organisation.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available
Decision-Making: Major Groups involvement
No information is available
Programmes and Projects
As part of
Status
In January 1997, the Federal Government announced the Green Corps Program which provides young people with full-time training, for up to twelve months, on community based environmental projects. Projects include land care, eco-tourism and restoration activities, and survey and data collection work. Training associated with projects is linked, where possible, with career opportunities in fields such as environmental management, science, conservation and restoration
Challenges
No information is available
Capacity-building, Education, Training and
Awareness-raising
No information is available
Information
No information is available
Research and Technologies
No information is available
Financing
No information is available
Cooperation
Internationally,
· developing countries;
· participation in multilateral fora such as APEC and the OECD; support for the United Nations' specialised agencies including WHO and UNICEF;
· support and contributions to the World Bank and Asian Development Bank;
· provision of consultancy services to regional projects funded by international finance institutions; and
·
the establishment of the Australian
International Education Foundation.
* * *
This information was provided by the Government of
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) is a
decentralised organisation, combining representative, policy-making and
administrative elements. It was designed to put into effect the principle of
self-determination for indigenous Australians.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
The Federal Government has fully recognised the importance of strengthening the role of indigenous peoples through the enactment, in 1989, of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act. That Act established a statutory body whose corporate objectives and functions specifically seek to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the development of policies and operations of government programs.
The most significant event
influencing Australian domestic policy on indigenous peoples, and the
environment, is the High Court Mabo decision of June 1992 on native
title. The Native Title Act 1993, which is the Federal Government's response to
the Mabo judgement, seeks to strike a balance between the recognition
and protection of the rights of native title holders and the land development
needs of all Australians.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available
Decision-Making: Major Groups involvement
No information is available
Programmes and Projects
No information is available
Status
Australian Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander peoples are among the most disadvantaged groups within
the Australian community.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people comprise approximately 1.6% of the total Australian population and currently own approximately 15% of the land. However, there are a number of characteristics of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land which have implications for environmental and land management. Although much Aboriginal land is largely agriculturally non-productive, it contains localised areas which are rich in resources and which are the focus for many competing land uses. Aboriginal land use is a mixture of traditional and introduced, small scale and extensive, high impact and benign land uses that interact and overlap with each other. Aboriginal land managers are faced with the complexity of these often interrelated and overlapping land uses and their sustainability.
Challenges
No information is available
Capacity-building, Education, Training and
Awareness-raising
No information is available
Information
No information is available
Research and Technologies
No information is available
Financing
No information is available
Cooperation
* * *
This information was provided by the Government of
NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
Decision-Making: Coordinating B
The Australian Government is
committed to consulting widely with the community on domestic and international
environment matters.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
For the purpose of ensuring that the views and interests of the community
are taken into consideration, the Government has created a range of channels
for consultation. A peak body reviews the international agenda, focussing on
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
The Australian Government encourages participation by NGOs on
Australian delegations to international environment convention meetings, at
their own expense. Two NGO advisers join Australian delegations to a number of
the major environmental meetings, one from an environment/development
organisation and one from business
At a domestic level, the
Intergovernmental Committee on Ecologically Sustainable Development conducts
annual consultative meetings with NGOs on matters relating to the
implementation of the National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable
Development. Meetings of a group of peak conservation organisations with the
Environment Portfolio Minister are held on a regular basis and an informal
dialogue is maintained at officer level with both industry and environment
NGOs. More detailed consultations take place on a range of specific
environmental issues covered by chapters in Agenda 21. Forests, coastal areas,
and ocean and freshwater resources, are all areas of particular importance for
Decision-Making: Major Groups involvement
No information is available
Programmes
Environment
Status
No information is available
Challenges
No information is available
Capacity-building, Education, Training and
Awareness-raising
No information is available
Information
No information is available
Research and Technologies
No information is available
Financing
No information is available
Cooperation
This information was provided by the Government of
LOCAL AUTHORITIES
Decision-Making: Coordinating B
There are approximately 750
Councils in
Most Councils in each State and Territory are represented by their respective Local Government Association. These associations are represented nationally by the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA). ALGA's core business is intergovernmental relations, and involves representation on the Council of Australian Governments and intergovernmental committees including the Intergovernmental Committee on Ecologically Sustainable Development.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available
Decision-Making: Major Group Involvement
No information is available
Programmes
Environs
Status
No
information is available
Challenges
No information is available
Capacity-Building, Education, Training and Awareness-Raising
No
information is available
Information
No
information is available
Research and Technologies
No
information is available
Financing
No
information is available
Cooperation
No
information is available.
* * *
This information was provided by the Government of
Click here for Local
Agendas 21.
Click here for Local
Government On-Line Australia.
Click here for the Local
Government Guide to Agenda 21.
WORKERS AND TRADE UNIONS
Decision-Making: Coordinating B
Australian trade unions play an important role in reducing the
economic and human costs associated with poor occupational health and safety
(OHS) and environmental performance through their activities in specific
workplaces. More broadly, trade unions play a role in developing and
implementing economic, social and environmental policies and programs.
Development of the National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable
Development brought together trade unions, industry, conservation and
community groups in an effort to address their mutual interests and concerns
for ESD.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available
Decision-Making: Major Group Involvement
No information is available
Programmes
No information is available
Status
No
information is available
Challenges
No information is available
Capacity-Building, Education, Training and Awareness-Raising
No
information is available
Information
No
information is available
Research and Technologies
No
information is available
Financing
No
information is available
Cooperation
No
information is available.
* * *
This information was provided by the Government of
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available
Decision-Making: Legislation and
Regulations
No information is available
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
The Australian Government recognises the central role played by business and industry in the economy and in efforts to move towards a more ecologically sustainable pattern of development. The Government has therefore involved industry closely in the development of strategies and initiatives aimed at promoting ecologically sustainable development. Business and industry representatives are also included on delegations attending international meetings on environmental issues.
Decision-Making: Major Group Involvement
No information is available
Programmes and Projects
Environment
Status
There is a wide range of initiatives occurring within government and industry to encourage more sustainable practices. Industry has shown it can provide leadership in demonstrating best practice approaches, such as Alcoa's rehabilitation program at a Western Australian mine site, which was recognised by the United Nations Environment Program for its excellence and is now part of the Global 500. The Government has also provided assistance to industry to promote the adoption of environmentally sound practices.
Challenges
No information is available
Capacity-Building, Education, Training and Awareness-Raising
No information is available
Information
No information is available
Research and Technologies
No information is available
Financing
No information is available
Cooperation
No information is available
* * *
This information was provided by the Government of
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL COMMUNITY
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
Scientific expertise is integrated into policy-making at all
spheres of government. At an operational level, most agencies have working
relationships with scientists and engineers and their expertise is instrumental
to effective policy-making in line areas of policy like health, environment,
industry, communications, defence, education and so on. The Primary Industries
and Energy portfolio has a specialised agency, the Bureau of Resource Sciences,
which is responsible for managing the interface between science and policy and
interpreting scientific knowledge for the benefit of decision makers. This
promotes better linkage between scientific and technical knowledge and
strategic policy and program formation. New information technologies are being
used in decision support systems that can integrate large quantities of data
from a variety of sources, including remote sensing, so that this information
can be utilised in a meaningful way.
Distinguished scientists and engineers provide advice on environmental issues to all spheres of government through the Australian Science and Technology Council and the Prime Minister's Science and Engineering Council. Parliamentary committees regularly examine science-related issues of national importance, holding public hearings across the country. More specialised bodies such as the National Greenhouse Advisory Committee provide expert scientific advice on specific issues of importance to the Australian Government. Scientific and technical inputs are sought in the development of negotiations towards international agreements, and consultative processes enable the public to comment on these inputs (e.g. development of an Australian position on the Biosafety Protocol).
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
The Government is also
concerned that scientific practice is undertaken safely and humanely, and has
developed stringent guidelines for work in hazardous areas like nuclear
science, toxic chemicals and genetic manipulation. Voluntary guidelines include
the code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes,
guidelines for small scale genetic manipulation work, guidelines for large
scale work with recombinant DNA, and procedures for assessment of the planned release
of recombinant DNA organisms. The Federal Government intends to introduce
legislation covering research, contained use and field trials of genetically
manipulated organisms.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
Australian Governments recognise the important role scientists, technicians and engineers will play in addressing economic, social and environmental problems and is considering, and acting on, many of the issues raised in Agenda 21.
Decision-Making: Major Groups involvement
No information is available
Programmes and Projects
The Research and Development Corporations are research funding and investment agencies, financed by government and industry, which also determine their priorities. Many contribute by disseminating information to industry and the public on sustainable land use and agricultural practices, again improving the interface between science and decision-making, as well as the implementation of scientific results
Status
Australia has a long tradition of independent research and a well-organised and often vocal scientific and technological community, and these contribute to the essential public debate about science and its importance to the economy and the environment. Establishing and strengthening links between the scientific and technological community and the broader community, in government, in education, in industry and elsewhere is an important part of more effective decision-making processes concerning environment and development. Whilst government can facilitate and encourage these links, ultimately they are the responsibility of individual scientists, technicians, engineers and the institutions in which they work.
Challenges
No information is available
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available
Information
No information is available
Research and Technologies
No information is available
Financing
No information is available
Cooperation
* * *
This information was provided by the Government of Australia to the 5th session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Last update: 1 April 1997.
FARMERS
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
The Government plays an
important role in policy and program formulation and acts as a catalyst for
development while relying on broad-based consultation with the relevant
communities. The Government also consults a wide range of farmer and community
groups on both a formal and informal basis through peak industry and welfare
associations.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
The Government recognises that rural communities do not have the same capacity as urban areas to raise public revenue; yet rural industries are major export earners in the Australian economy.
Decision-Making: Major Groups involvement
The Government also consults a wide range of community groups on both a formal and informal basis. These groups include the National Farmers' Federation, a wide range of rural industry associations, the Country Women's Association, The Australian Council of Social Service, the Isolated Children's Parents' Association, the National Rural Health Alliance, the Australian Mining Industry Council, Australian Women in Agriculture, the Foundation for Australian Agricultural Women, the Rural Adjustment Scheme Advisory Council.
Programmes and Projects
There is an increased emphasis on broad-based community
consultation in Government policies and programs for rural communities. The
success of this approach has been demonstrated under the National Landcare
Program. Program supports activities, which contribute to the sustainable
management of land, water and vegetation, in line with regional State and
national strategies. Natural Heritage Trust funding of around $280 million will
refocus the National Landcare Program, broadening its scope by tackling
specific on-the-ground projects and taking a more integrated approach to its
activities.
Australian farmers work in a
fragile environment that is subject to significant and unpredictable changes in
climatic conditions, market fluctuations and volatile commodity prices. The
FarmBis Program, which builds on property management planning, provides a
framework for promoting a positive approach to change across the farm sector.
FarmBis will assist all those involved in the farm business, including
employees, to build on their existing skills and improve the performance of the
farm business in terms of its profitability and sustainability. FarmBis will
commence operations on 1 July 1998.
Status
Approximately one-third of Australia's population lives in rural and remote areas and a significant proportion of these people are farmers and their families. Social and economic opportunities for these communities are vital to the sustainable development of the nation's economy and future. A community-based approach, directly involving farmers and rural community groups, supported by government, has proved to be the most effective model to effect progress in sustainable development in regional and rural areas. This is consistent with the market-based approach to agricultural development and the achievement of self-reliance of farmers.
Challenges
No information is available
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available
Information
No information is available
Research and Technologies
No information is available
Financing
No information is available
Cooperation
No information is available
* * *
This information was provided by the Government of Australia to the 5th and 6th Sessions of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Last update: 1 Jun 1998.
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SCIENCE
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) is the pre-eminent body for national, or federal, decision-making. It incorporates science into policy development through working groups, expert reports and expertise from the bureaucracy.
At a broad level, the Commonwealth Government of Australia has a number of science advisory bodies, which provide an across-government view of major issues. These include the Chief Scientist, the Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council, the Australian Science, Technology and Engineering Council, the Coordination Committee on Science and Technology, and the Genetic Manipulation Advisory Committee.
The Australian Science,
Engineering and Innovation Council provides independent advice to the
Commonwealth Government of Australia on a wide range of policies and programs
related to science and technology. This includes advice on matters relating to
the development and application of science and technology in relation to the
furtherance of the national well-being, including sustainable development.
Scientists are also involved either directly or indirectly in the work of a number of inter-governmental Ministerial Committees and their related standing committee structures, which inform the policy development process. Examples of these include ARMCANZ, the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Resource Management, ANZECC, the Standing Committee on Conservation, MCFFA and the Standing Committees on Forestry and Fisheries and Aquaculture respectively.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
Apart from the above coordination and advisory mechanisms, the Commonwealth Government of Australia has a number of ways in which it incorporates science into its decision-making processes. The Departments of Industry, Science and Tourism, Primary Industries and Energy, and the Environment each incorporate in-house and externally-sourced scientific inputs as part of their normal policy advisory processes.
The Department of Primary Industries and Energy incorporates
three professionally independent research bureaux within its structure; these
are the Bureau of Resource Sciences (BRS), the Australian Bureau of
Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) and the Australian Government
Survey Organization (AGSO). Each of these bureaux, within their respective spheres
of expertise, contribute to the maintenance of integrated research and
information bases for ecologically sustainable development.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
In Australia, science and research-based institutions play a significant role in providing advice for national decision-making on sustainable development issues. This occurs through both formal and informal mechanisms and in relation to both policy and program development.
Decision-Making: Major Groups involvement
Outside government structures, there are many other mechanisms, which facilitate the transfer of scientific knowledge and dialogue among scientists and between scientists and the public. These include scientific societies and professional bodies such as the Australian Society of Soil Science, the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology, the Geological Society of Australia and the Rangelands Society.
Programmes
and Projects
In Australia there are many mechanisms to facilitate dialogue
among the scientific community, the Government and the public in relation to
sustainable development issues. The Commonwealth Government of
Australia has established a number of institutions, which directly facilitate
this dialogue. These include the various inter-governmental Ministerial
Councils and their related standing and research working group structures in
the areas of nature conservation, agriculture and resource management, forestry
and fisheries. The Government has also established a range of research and development
corporations in the primary industries and natural resource management sectors.
These provide a direct mechanism for governments, public and private users of
research, and research bodies to interact. Examples include the Land and Water
Resources R&D Corporation, the Forest and Wood Products R&D Corporation
and the Fisheries R&D Corporation.
Status
Australia has an advanced science base, and, in many fields,
Australia's scientists are at the leading edge of research. Specific strengths
relevant to sustainable development include remote sensing; climate change
research; numerical modelling; dryland farming, irrigation research and
salinity control; fisheries science, near shore and coral reef marine biology
and ecology, limnology and water management, geology and mining technology; and
the biology and ecology of the Australian biota.
Challenges
No information is available
Capacity-building, Education, Training and
Awareness-raising
No information is available
Information
Australia is increasingly using electronic means to promote
information exchange and availability among the scientific community, the
Government and the public at large. Most national and state institutions with
an interest in sustainable development issues, public and private, have either
developed or are planning to develop, web sites as part of their communication
strategies.
Research and Technologies
No information is available
Financing
The Australian Research Council is the primary funding agency
for universities and funds research projects, which range across all aspects of
environment and development. The National Health and Medical Research Council
funds health-related research.
Cooperation
Australian scientists are involved in a broad range of
international bodies of relevance to sustainable development. They take part in
international meetings charged with developing or implementing international
conventions (e.g. Desertification, Biodiversity, Climate Change, fisheries
regimes etc) particularly, but not only, through science sub-groups such as the
IPCC and the 'Montreal Process' Working Group.
* * *
This information was provided by the Government of Australia to the 5th and 6th Sessions of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Last update: 1 June 1998.
Click here for the Department of Industry, Science and Tourism.
Click here for the CSIRO homepage.
Click here for the Australian Antarctic Division web site on science.
Click here for National Resource Information Center.
Click here for the Australian Geological Survey Organization.
Click here for the Department of Primary Industries and Energy.
Click here for the Bureau of Resources Sciences.
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INFORMATION
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
Environmental information is held by a diverse range of institutions in
Australia. The primary responsibility for the collection and collation of
economic and social statistics in Australia rests with the Australian Bureau of
Statistics (ABS).
The Commonwealth of Australia is a federation of six
self-governing States and two self-governing mainland Territories. The
Australian (sometimes referred to as the Commonwealth or Federal) Government's
powers and responsibilities are defined in the Australian Constitution. The State and Territory Governments are
responsible for all other matters. State and Territory Governments also have
established systems of Local Government. There are some 683 Local Councils in
Australia. Local Government
environmental responsibilities vary depending on the State/Territory
jurisdiction, but include activities such as land use planning and management,
and infrastructure and service provision.
Responsibilities and powers related to sustainable
development are not specifically dealt with in the Australian Constitution, and
are not the sole province of any one sphere of government. Each level of
government in Australia is responsible for aspects of sustainable development.
There is recognition that environment and sustainable development issues often
transcend government boundaries and need to be addressed on a local, regional,
national and international basis.
There is a range of mechanisms overseeing development of
national strategies and policies for ecologically sustainable development
(ESD). These mechanisms provide
Ministerial and administrative frameworks informing and advising ESD policy
process and development. Overall coordination is effected through the Council
of Australian Governments (COAG). COAG is the most senior intergovernmental
forum of all Australian Governments, consisting of the heads of the Federal,
State and Territory Governments, and the President of the Australian Local
Government Association. Relevant Ministerial Councils include:
- the Agriculture and
Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand (ARMCANZ);
- the Australian and New
Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC);
- the Australian and New
Zealand Minerals and Energy Council (ANZMEC); Ministerial Council for
Fisheries and Forestry of Australia (MCFFA);
- the Murray Darling
Basin Ministerial Council (MDBC); and
- the National
Environment Protection Council (NEPC).
Each of these Ministerial Councils has established working
groups reporting to the respective Councils on matters of specific
interest. Information on these
Ministerial Councils can be found at web-site address http://www.dpmc.gov.au/briefing/doc/Compendium.pdf
For more information on the Australian system of government
and related mechanisms, visit the Commonwealth-State Relations Secretariat home
page at http://www.dpmc.gov.au/comm_state_index.html
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
State
of the environment (SoE) reporting processes are being increasingly adopted by
Australian governments. New South Wales,
South Australia, Tasmania, Queensland, and the Australian Capital Territory
have adopted legislative requirements for state of environment reporting. The
New South Wales Government has also made it mandatory for local governments in
that State to undertake state of the environment reporting. State of Environment Reports have been
produced by all Australian States and Territories except the Northern
Territory. Data from local SoE
government reports feeds into State/Government, particularly where a number of
councils have collaborated to produce regional reports.
The Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), which came into force on 16 July 2000,
promotes ecologically sustainable development through the conservation and
ecologically sustainable use of natural resources. It focuses Commonwealth interests on environmental
aspects defined as matters of national environmental significance. The Act also
requires the production of national State of the Environment Reports every five
years. Information on matters of national environmental significance, as well
as extensive information and guidance to project proponents and the public, is
available through the Environment Australia Internet home page at http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/
As part
of the Australian Government’s approach to achieving ESD, the EPBC Act includes
new mandatory ESD reporting requirements for Australian Government
agencies. Paragraph 516A(6)(a) is
particularly relevant because agencies are obliged to report on the extent to
which ESD principles are applied in decision making. The relevant ESD
principles (defined in section 3A of the EPBC Act) include: integrated decision
making; use of the precautionary principle; inter-generational equity; the
fundamental importance of biological diversity and ecological integrity in
decision making; and the use of alternative policy instruments.
The requirements establish a whole-of-government ESD
performance reporting framework for all Australian Government agencies to
report on the ecological sustainability of their operations, policies, programs
and outcomes. These mandatory reports will be public documents and therefore
available for Parliamentary and public scrutiny. The Auditor-General has powers
to audit a Government agency’s compliance with these reporting requirements.
The first reporting period is for 2000-2001.
Other Commonwealth legislation, regulation and policy
instruments are mentioned in the relevant sections throughout this document.
Web-sites
Australian Bureau
of Statistics - http://www.abs.gov.au/
Australian
Biological Resources Study - http://www.anbg.gov.au/abrs/index.html
Australian State
of the Environment Reporting - http://www.environment.gov.au/soe/index.html
Bureau of
Meteorology - http://www.bom.gov.au/
Department of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Australia -
http://www.affa.gov.au
Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 - http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/index.html
Environmental
Resource Information Network - http://www.erin/psg/erin/index.html
Legislation
administered by the Minister for the Environment and Heritage - http://www.environment.gov.au/corporate/legislation.html
National Land and
Water Resources Audit - http://www.nlwra/
National Pollutant
Inventory - http://www.npi.ea.gov.au
National Strategy
for Ecologically Sustainable Development - http://www.environment.gov.au/psg/igu/
Natural Heritage
Trust - http://www.nht.gov.au/index.html
Regional Forest
Agreements – http://www.rfa.gov.au
Australian State
of the Environment Reporting
Since 1992, there has been general international agreement
on the need to provide quantifiable advice regarding achievement of sustainable
development to policy makers.
The objectives of state of the environment
reporting in Australia are:
- To provide accurate timely and accessible information about the condition and prospects of the Australian environment;
- To provide an early warning
of potential problems;
- To report on the effectiveness of policies
and programs designed to respond to environmental change, including
progress towards achieving environmental standards and targets.
In
these ways, state of the environment reporting contributes to policy making and
goal setting.
Australia’s National
Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development (1992 - see
web-site address http://www.environment.gov.au/psg/igu/nsesd/index.htm) called for a comprehensive, independent Australian State
of the Environment (SoE) Report. The first such report was released in 1996,
providing information on the condition of and, pressures upon, Australia's
natural and human settlements environments, and responses to these pressures
and conditions. Under the EPBC Act, national state of the environment reporting
is now a legal requirement, with national reports to be produced every
five-years.
A core set of indicators for environmental reporting,
derived from sets of theme indicators (based on the seven environmental themes
for SoE reporting), was endorsed by the Australian and New Zealand Environment
and Conservation Council (ANZECC – see http://www.environment.gov.au/psg/igu/anzecc/index.html).
Headline Indicators
Australia
is also developing a set of headline indicators to illustrate national
sustainability trends and broadly assess Australia’s progress towards the core
objectives of the National Strategy for
Ecologically Sustainable Development. This draft set of headline indicators
is currently under consideration by all Australian jurisdictions, and was
released for public consultation in July 2000.
The
headline indicators cover themes at a generic and representative level. They
provide an overall “score card” of Australia’s sustainability performance. Trends in
these indicators will help us to identify any major threats to our national
well-being by providing a starting point for tracking an underlying cause to a
larger, "parent" set of data, for example, Australian Bureau of Statistics
publications, the national State of the Environment Report and the National
Land and Water Resources Audit (NLWRA). Only in the context of these larger
sets, will the headline indicators provide information which is useful for
national policy making and goal setting."
Sectoral Indicators
Sustainability assessment is under way in Australia in a number of sectors, particularly forestry, agriculture, fisheries, and water. Sectoral indicators are intended to provide more detailed information than the headline indicators referred to above, and to act as sustainability management or policy tools for specific sectors. A range of approaches is employed for each of these sectors, and efforts to develop consistency across sectors is progressing. Sector-specific indicators are being developed, and data collected against them, as a part of voluntary eco-efficiency agreements between industry associations and Environment Australia.
Montreal
Process criteria and indicators provide the basis for assessing progress
towards sustainable forest management, both nationally and within sub-national
forest regions. A framework of
regional indicators was endorsed by Ministerial Councils in 1998. The framework
comprised 7 criteria and 67 indicators, and was designed to be applicable to
all forests and tenures, Regional Forest Agreement.
The
next State of the Environment and State of the Forests reports, as well as the
report to the Montreal Process in 2003, will be based on a framework of
regional indicators.
A
framework of five key indicators and 19 attributes has been developed through
Ministerial Council processes. The five indicators cover: economic, on-site and
off-site environmental and social (managerial and off-site) aspects. The first national
report was published in 1998 and documents national findings for 11
agro-ecological regions across Australia. The report was basically a snapshot
in time and it is intended to repeat the assessment in five years time, using
data developed through the National Land and Water Resources Audit.
The
Standing Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture is developing a framework for
assessing the sustainability of commercial fisheries.
Social Indicators
The
Bureau of Rural Sciences is undertaking three projects to develop social
indicators for sustainable resource management. The first project is developing
indicators of access to services, the second is to develop general indicators
of rural community ‘health’, and the third project is development of social
indicators of capacity to change for the National Land and Water Resources
Audit.
Web-sites
Australian's state of the environment
reports and environmental indicator program - http://www.environment.gov.au/soe/index.html
Headline Indicators - http://www.environment.gov.au/psg/igu/index.html
Australia’s
participation in the Montreal Process:
http://www.dpie.gov.au/agfor/forests/montreal
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
Harmonisation of and
standardisation of data on sustainable development a national and international
levels;
There is no single, central national strategy or plan
for this purpose. Harmonisation and
standardisation of data is carried out on a sectoral or issue-specific basis.
Establishment of a comprehensive national and
international information network;
The National Office of the Information Economy is
working to assist the establishment of a comprehensive national and
international information network. The Australian Bureau of Statistics
administers a number of programs that also contribute to the establishment of
this network.
Preservation and
capacity building of information related to traditional and indigenous
knowledge.
Indigenous Knowledge
In response to the National
Strategy for the Conservation of Australia’s Biodiversity (see web-site http://chm.environment.gov.au/strategy/contents.html) call for identification of biodiversity research
priorities, a discussion paper entitled “Biodiversity Research – Australia’s
Priorities” has been prepared and circulated for input from stakeholders. Currently identified priorities include preservation of indigenous peoples’ knowledge
regarding conservation of ecological communities, and species distribution,
habitat and conservation.
The Commonwealth Government will fund two projects in 2000-01, supporting indigenous communities to preserve their ethno-biological knowledge for biodiversity conservation. The projects will enable indigenous communities to record aspects of their traditional ecological knowledge, enhancing community ownership and use of this knowledge. These projects will complement other projects contributing to the inter-generational transfer of ethno-biological knowledge, being run by indigenous organisations, universities and State/Territory agencies.
The Environment Protection and Conservation Biodiversity
Act 1999 (EPBC Act) enables the
Commonwealth Minister for Environment and Heritage to enter into conservation
agreements for the protection of biodiversity on indigenous land, taking
account of indigenous knowledge and use of biodiversity. The Act also provides
for the establishment of an Indigenous Advisory Committee and for indigenous
representation on the Biological Diversity Advisory Committee.
A range of ethno-biological activities is funded under
the Indigenous Protected Areas (IPA) Program. IPA projects often involve the
collection and recording of traditional ethno-biological knowledge. Significant
ethno-biological projects are also undertaken at Uluru-Kata Tjuta,
Kakadu and Booderee National Parks, which are jointly managed with their
traditional owners. The Commonwealth Government has established a network of
Indigenous Land Management Facilitators to assist indigenous communities access
programs supporting their land management aspirations.
Decision-Making: Major Groups involvement
Scientific
and technological community
Scientific expertise is integrated into policy-making at
all spheres of government. At an operational level, most agencies have working
relationships with scientists and engineers.
Their expertise is instrumental to effective policy-making for areas
such as health, industry, agriculture, environment, communications, defence and
education.
Distinguished scientists and engineers provide advice on
environmental issues to all spheres of government through the Australian
Science and Technology Council (http://www.astec.gov.au/), and the Prime
Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council
(http://www.disr.gov.au/science/pmseic/pmseic.html). Parliamentary committees regularly examine
science-related issues of national importance, holding public hearings across
the country. Specialist bodies, such as the National Greenhouse Advisory
Committee, provide governments with expert scientific advice on specific
issues. Scientific and technical inputs
are sought during negotiation of international agreements, and consultative
processes enable the public to comment on these inputs.
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research
Organisation (CSIRO - http://www.csiro.au/) provides a wide range of scientific
information. For example, CSIRO is a key partner in the Cooperative Research
Centres Program (http://www.isr.gov.au/crc/index.html), established in 1990 and
administered by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources.
A number of Research and Development Corporations have been
established through legislation. They
are generally funded by industry levies and Commonwealth Government
contributions, and their priorities are set by industry and government. R&D Corporations disseminate information
on sustainable land use and agricultural practices to industry and the public,
assisting the linkage between science and decision making.
The Bureau of Rural Sciences (BRS -
http://www.affa.gov.au/outputs/ruralscience.html) and the Australian Bureau of
Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE -
http://www.affa.gov.au/outputs/economics.html) are independent research bodies
operating within the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio. BRS and ABARE provide advice to government
assisting the sustainable development of Australian agricultural, food,
fisheries and forest industries.
Indigenous
people
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC
- http://www.atsic.gov.au/default_ns.asp) is a decentralised organisation combining
representative, policy-making and administrative elements. It was designed to put into effect the
principle of self-determination for Indigenous Australians. Aboriginal Land Councils represent indigenous
interests relating to land matters, and related environmental and social
issues, in a number of geographic regions.
Indigenous groups jointly manage a number of national parks, including
Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Kakadu, Gurig and Nitmiluk in the Northern
Territory, and Witjira in South Australia.
Traditional indigenous knowledge and practices are being increasingly
incorporated into the management of these areas.
Non
Government Organisations (NGOs)
Many government programs promoting sustainable development
are based on partnerships with industry and the community. Cooperation between industry associations and
governments also contributes to the collection, analysis and dissemination of
information.
Local Authorities.
Most
Councils in each State and Territory are represented by their respective State/Territory
Local Government Association. National
level representation of local government interests is undertaken by the
Australian Local Government Association (ALGA).
ALGA has launched the Internet-based Australian Local Government
Information Network (ALGIN), aiming to involve 80% of Australia's Councils
within the next two years.
Industry
Industry is being consulted in the development of
eco-efficiency indicators against which data will be collected through ABS
surveys and voluntary eco-efficiency agreements with industry associations.
Web-sites
Australian Local Government Association - http://www.alga.com.au/
Australian Local
Government Information Network -
http://www.algin.net.au/
INFOTERRA - http://www.environment.gov.au/library/infoterra
Many Government programs promoting sustainable development
are based on partnerships with industry and the community. In most cases, private sector groups involved
in such partnerships actively promote their involvement and contributions to
the public, through a variety of fora.
For example, private companies are extensively involved in establishing
communications infrastructure, in accordance with government policies and
regulations.
Non-government
organisations
NGOs have been involved in development of the
Commonwealth's state of the environment reporting program (http://www.environment.gov.au/soe/index.html) since its inception, with particular emphasis
upon scientific and academic expertise.
This began with the release of a discussion paper for public comment in
December 1992. Industry and community
groups also participated in an associated two-day workshop. Representatives from five NGOs sat on the
Advisory Council overseeing production of the 1996 State of the Environment
Report.
States and Territories
Much
of the data and information for state of the environment reporting is provided
by the States and Territories under arrangement with the Commonwealth. For most
natural resource management data, the Commonwealth is not the data custodian.
From 1997 onwards, academic and scientific
experts have contributed significantly to the development of indicators for
continent-wide state of the environment reporting. Release of a 1998 discussion paper on core
indicators resulted in over one hundred submissions from academics, government
agencies, conservation groups, consultants and industry groups.
The Australian State of the Environment
Committee, overseeing production of the 2001 State of the Environment Report,
includes scientific and heritage experts from NGOs. In addition scientists,
NGOs and a wide range of experts have been involved in the preparation of the
2001 SoE report as members of expert review panels or as peer reviewers of each
of the seven theme chapters.
Consultation on
development of Headline Sustainability Indicators
These indicators are being developed through a stakeholder
and public consultation process.
Government agencies are directly consulting their key stakeholders,
including NGOs and industry groups.
Public input to the set has also been sought and incorporated in
development of the Set."
Programmes and Projects
Information
management framework
The
Australian Government's Strategic Framework for the Information
Economy Statement (January 1999 – see web-site address
http://www.noie.gov.au/projects/information_economy/strategic_framework/index.htm)
sets out a national vision and framework for Australia’s information economy.
The
Commonwealth’s information management framework:
- provides
increased access to, and efficient distribution of, Government information
products within the Government and to the public;
- encourages
the use of electronic transactions wherever possible; and
- removes
unnecessary regulations.
The National Office for the Information Economy (NOIE) was
established in 1997 as Australia's lead Commonwealth agency for information
economy issues. It is tasked with developing, overseeing, and coordinating
Commonwealth Government policy on electronic commerce, on-line services and the
Internet.
The Australian Government intends to incorporate the
functions of the current Office for Government On-line into the NOIE and
establish the NOIE as an Executive Agency within the Communications,
Information Technology and the Arts portfolio.
This will assist the provision of a coordinated approach to addressing
technical, regulatory and social issues affecting government, business and consumers,
in the take-up of on-line services and the development of the information
economy.
The framework includes provisions for fair and equitable
access, especially for those in regional areas or those with disabilities. It
recognises the various delivery mechanisms for information dissemination, from
the traditional paper-based approach to electronic delivery. The framework
focuses on simplifying access to information and utilising the benefits of
electronic commerce by:
- providing single points of access for Commonwealth information and business;
- implementing
the Australian Government’s on-line strategy to deliver all appropriate
Commonwealth services on the Internet by 2001; and
- implementing
the Government’s Electronic Procurement Strategy
The National Office of the Information Economy (NOIE) is currently working to identify barriers
preventing equitable access to the Internet. NOIE is developing policies and
practices to address these barriers, including an 'enabling' program to explain
and facilitate access to the information economy.
Government On-line Strategy
In December 1997, the Prime Minister committed the Australian Government to bringing all appropriate Government services on-line, via the Internet, by 2001. The Australian Government recently released its Government On-line Strategy, setting out an operational framework for agencies to meet the Prime Minister's commitment.
Considerable
progress has been made in bringing information and services on-line. The vast
majority of agencies have web-sites, and nearly half of agencies surveyed offer
some degree of interactivity with on-line services or databases.
Universal Internet
Access
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS – see
http://www.abs.gov.au) data at August 2000 shows that 33% of Australian
households are connected to the Internet.
While Australian Internet use overall is increasing very rapidly,
disparities in on-line access do exist. These disparities are related to
socio-economic factors such as income and education, and to other factors such
as access to suitable communication infrastructure.
The
Australian Government's multi-faceted approach to this issue comprises:
regulatory initiatives to encourage greater competition in the
telecommunications market; grants programs to fund the development of
telecommunications infrastructure, community access facilities and training; a
range of educational skills development initiatives; and providing electronic
government services accessible to all community sectors.
Information Infrastructure Development
Infrastructure
development has occurred in metropolitan, regional and rural areas right across
Australia. The most significant
initiative is the Networking the Nation (NTN) program and associated Social
Bonus programs, mostly managed through the Department for Communications,
Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA). These initiatives are designed to
upgrade telecommunications infrastructure and services for communities in
regional, rural and remote Australia. NTN administers funds totalling AUD$421
million for the Building Additional Rural Networks, Local Government Fund,
Internet Access and Remote and Isolated Islands programs.
The
development of community-based access centres has also been of paramount importance
to the Australian Government. The Department of Transport and Regional Services
(DTRS) is managing a 5-year, AUD$70 million rural transaction centre
program. The program helps small, rural
communities establish centres providing access to basic banking, postage,
telephone, facsimile, Internet, Centrelink, and Medicare Easyclaim transaction
services.
Information Education and Training
Commonwealth
and State Governments have undertaken considerable efforts to develop community
IT education and training programs. The Commonwealth Department of Education,
Training and Youth Affairs (DETYA – see web-site address
http://www.detya.gov.au/) in consultation with other education and training
authorities, has developed an Education and Training Action Plan for the
Information Economy (see web-site address
http://www.detya.gov.au/edu/edactplan.htm). The Commonwealth recently announced
funding of up to AUD$5 million to establish an Information Technology and
Telecommunications (IT&T) Skills Exchange, to address the current shortage
of IT&T skills.
Web-sites
Key
Government initiatives for strengthening electronic networking capabilities are:
Government On-line - The Commonwealth
Government Strategy - http://www.govonline.gov.au/projects/strategy/GovOnlineStrategy.htm
The National Office for the Information Economy - http://www.noie.gov.au/
Department for Communications, Information
Technology and the Arts -http://www.dcita.gov.au
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Office
- http://www.hreoc.gov.au/
Department of Transport and Regional Services
- http://www.dotrs.gov.au
Australia
is committed to further improving its collection, assessment, analysis,
integration, harmonisation and standardisation, and accessibility of data,
including information on environmental sustainable development issues. Examples of specific programs are
outlined below.
Australian Bureau of
Statistics Programs
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) provides
a national statistical service to assist and encourage informed
decision-making, research and discussion within governments and the community.
The ABS develops and maintains environmental
accounts integrating physical and monetary data in a consistent framework. These accounts follow the guidelines set out
in Integrated Environmental and Economic Accounting (UN 1993a), which is a
complement to the System of National Accounts (SNA) (UN 1993b),
Physical accounts, showing the stocks and flows
of natural resources, have been completed for energy (1996), minerals (1998),
fish (1999) and water (2000). An updated Energy Account for Australia,
including associated greenhouse gas emissions, is nearing completion.
The ABS includes estimates for non-produced
(natural) assets, including land, subsoil and forest assets, in its annual
presentation of the national balance sheet.
Data for public and private sector expenditure on environmental
protection, for 1995-96 and 1996-97, was released last year. These estimates were collected according to a
comprehensive international framework (European System for the Collection of
Economic Information on the Environment -SERIEE) which allowed for detailed
estimates by environmental issue to be presented, consistent with the System of
National Accounts.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics is currently piloting a
survey of business in Australia to gather information on environmental
performance. The survey will address issues regarding benefits
to business of environmental activity, as well as expenditure issues. The survey will
collect data reported against eco-efficiency indicators, incorporated under
voluntary eco-efficiency agreements between industry associations and
Environment Australia, on an annual basis.
It will be far more comprehensive than the current sectoral surveys it
replaces. The first full survey will be
conducted in 2001.
Australia New Zealand Land Information Council and Commonwealth Spatial
Data Committee Programs
Frameworks
for strategic information infrastructure, including environment and natural
resource data and information, are being developed under the auspices of the
Australia New Zealand Land Information Council (ANZLIC) and the Commonwealth
Spatial Data Committee (CSDC). Most States and Territories are well advanced in
implementing whole‑of‑government approaches.
The
Australian Surveying and Land Information Group (AUSLIG ) provides national,
fundamental geographic information to support natural resource management,
mining, agriculture, transport, communications, defence and emergency
activities. AUSLIG continues to revise
and upgrade its key mapping, remote sensing and geodetic products and is
providing greater access to products through on-line cataloguing, ordering and
delivery mechanisms. AUSLIG represents
Australia in international spatial information forums and contributes to
national policy and coordination.
National Greenhouse Gas Inventory
In
accordance with the requirements the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the National Greenhouse Strategy, Australia compiles an annual National
Greenhouse Gas Inventory (NGGI). The NGGI is an important policy tool for the
development and review of greenhouse gas reduction measures, and for assessing
progress towards our national emissions reduction target. See web-site http://www.greenhouse.gov.au for further
information.
Australia
has produced an annual inventory of national greenhouse gas emissions since
1990, meeting obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change. These inventories provide baseline data assisting review of
response action, and development of greenhouse gas emissions projections. The 1998 National Greenhouse Gas Inventory,
released in July 2000, provides the latest report on Australia's greenhouse gas
emissions. This inventory incorporates improvements in data collection and
updates emission estimates recorded in the 1990-1997 inventories.
The NGGI
is publicly accessible through both hardcopy and on-line publications. The documents
provide estimates of greenhouse gas emissions in key sectors and sub-sectors of
the economy as well as some macro level indicators. Where possible, activity
level data (eg. number of animals, tonnes aluminium produced) is also reported.
Further information on Australia’s transport related greenhouse gas emissions is available at http://www.greenhouse.gov.au
National Carbon Accounting System
Australia’s
National Carbon Accounting System (NCAS – see web-site address
http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/ncas/) will provide a complete accounting and
forecasting capability for human-induced sources and sinks of greenhouse gas
emissions from Australian land based systems. The system will underpin
Australia’s national reporting obligations under the UN Framework Convention on
Climate Change and its instruments.
The
National Carbon Accounting System is compiling and collating extensive remotely
sensed and field observation data on natural resources. A variety of data is
published and made publicly accessible via access protocols and management
agreements with distributors. Access to this data will occur primarily via the
Internet. This data set should be available during 2001.
National
Land and Water Resources Audit
The
Commonwealth has committed $35m over 5 years to the National Land and Water
Resources Audit (see web-site address http://www.nlwra/). The Audit will
provide a national appraisal of Australia's land, water and vegetation natural
resource base. The Audit report is due
in the second half of 2001. The Audit
will develop a national system of compatible and readily accessible data. It
will interpret the economic, environmental and social costs and benefits of
resource change and remedial actions. The Audit will examine changes in the
extent and condition of Australia's native vegetation cover and introduced
pastures and crops.
Regional Forest Agreements
Regional
Forest Agreements (RFAs) are 20-year agreements between the Commonwealth and
individual State governments, covering the use and management of native forests
in various regions. Each RFA is under-pinned by a
comprehensive collection of data on conservation, social and economic forest
values. They are subject to five-yearly
reviews, during which new data on sustainability outcomes for RFA regions will
be generated. This data will be
generated using agreed subsets of the Montreal Process criteria and indicators.
Public Environmental Reporting
The Australian
Government released a national framework for public environmental reporting
(PER) in March 2000. Over 8,000 copies
have been distributed. PER extension
officers have been placed in three major industry associations, to promote PER
to members of those associations. A web
site has been developed to provide specific examples of PERs for information to
industry (http://www.environment.gov.au/epg/environet/eecp/tools3.html).
National Pollutant Inventory
The National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) is a publicly
available (Internet) database providing information on the types and amounts of
certain chemicals being discharged into the environment. The NPI is a Pollutant
Release Transfer Register program, however, it does not currently include
transfers. Nearly 1200 reports on
emissions from industrial facilities across Australia are available, as well as
information on diffuse or mobile emissions into major airsheds and nutrient
emissions into priority catchments.
Further
information on the NPI is available at http://www.npi.ea.gov.au
National Forest
Inventory
Australia’s
National Forest Inventory (NFI), a cooperative venture between Commonwealth,
State and Territory governments, is the national focal point for a range of
objective information about Australia’s 157 million hectares of forest. The NFI
collates and reports information about Australia’s public and private native,
plantation and farm forests, fulfilling national and international reporting
requirements. This information, which includes data relating to extent, growth
stage, height, floristics, tenure, and crown canopy cover is used by
Governments, industry and non-government organisations.
The
NFI periodically reports on implementation of Australia’s sub-national
indicators of sustainable forest management. The NFI
formed the basis of Australia’s first State of the Forests Report (1998) and is
currently preparing for the second report (2003). The Report provides a
detailed and comprehensive picture of Australia’s forest resources and related
management, including ecological, economic and social perspectives. Further information about the NFI is
available at web-site address http://www.brs.gov.au/nfi.
Eco Efficiency
Agreements
Information on business’ environmental performance will be
collected on an annual basis through voluntary eco-efficiency agreements being
developed with industry associations.
Biological Diversity
The
Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS) aims to provide the underlying
taxonomic knowledge necessary for the conservation and sustainable use of
Australia's biodiversity. ABRS delivers fundamental and comprehensive
information on all forms of Australian biota. This information is made
available to all sectors of the Australian community.
Australian Libraries
Gateway
The Australian Libraries Gateway (ALG) is a free,
Internet-based directory service providing information on over 5,400 Australian
libraries, and their collections and services. Its ultimate aim is to provide
information for every library in Australia. The Gateway has been developed by
the National Library of Australia.
INFOTERRA
A prototype portal web-site for the Australian INFOTERRA
National Focal Point has been created by Environment Australia. The purpose of the INFOTERRA Australia site
is to provide a single entry point to Australian environmental information. The
prototype site can be found at http://www.environment.gov.au/library/infoterra
National Resource
Information Centre (NRIC)
The NRIC has been established by Bureau of Rural Sciences (BRS
). NRIC’s sustainable development program provides policy makers with high
quality, up-to-date scientific information for the formulation, implementation
and revision of sustainable development policies and programs. The NRIC maintains a range of regional,
national and international data-sets, and facilitates access to other crucial
data-sets through its data management and directory systems. NRIC also has a
wide range of scientific expertise and enabling technologies (such as
geographic information systems, decision support systems and simulation and
modelling software) based on high performance computing, at its disposal. Through NRIC, BRS participates in research
and data-sharing activities with a range of national and international agencies.
Environmental
Resources Information Network (ERIN)
ERIN develops and maintains comprehensive,
accurate and accessible information infrastructure, which adds value to
sustainable development decision-making. ERIN's information is drawn from many
sources and includes maps, species distributions, documents and satellite
imagery, covering environmental themes ranging from endangered species to
drought and pollution. ERIN’s data products are publicly available, through the
Environment Australia web-site, in a range of formats, including on-line
atlases, maps, images and documents. Some data-sets can be directly down-loaded
by individual users for their own purposes.
ERIN contributes to the development of
national information initiatives, such as the Australian Spatial Data
Infrastructure (ASDI). ERIN hosts the
national node of the Australian Spatial Data Directory (ASDD) and contributes
to related data protocols and standards.
See web-site address http://www.environment.gov.au/psg/erin/index.html for more information on ERIN.
Australian
Antarctic Data Centre (AADC)
The AADC is responsible for managing and distributing
Antarctic scientific data, fulfilling Australia's Antarctic Treaty obligation
to facilitate full and free exchange of scientific observation and research
results. The AADC is responsible for surveying, mapping and maintaining
geographical information systems for the Australian Antarctic Territory, Heard
and McDonald Islands. The AADC also maintains spatial digital data
resources. Program information and data
is generally available in a variety of digital formats, including interactive
on-line maps.
Bureau of
Meteorology
The
Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) maintains and updates Australia's extensive
climatological data archive. The archive
contains data for meteorological and oceanographic observations extending back
over a century. It provides vital information for research and services aimed
at delivering sustainable land management practices.
Australia’s geographical position in a largely oceanic
hemisphere makes us reliant upon information from meteorological satellites and
oceanic observing systems operated by other nations. BoM cooperates with a
number of international meteorological bodies, particularly the World
Meteorological Organisation (WMO). BoM participates in WMO's World Weather
Watch Program and is also a major hub of the WMO Global Telecommunication
System.
Australia’s EnviroNET
Australia
rapidly growing environment business sector delivers high quality products and
services supporting sustainable development.
The “Australia's
EnviroNET” web-site provides information on the complete range of Australia's
environment business capabilities. The
web-site has been developed by the Commonwealth Department of Environment and
Heritage, and offers users access to eight specifically designed pathways
addressing a range of environmental protection and sustainable development
needs.
Australian
Antarctic Data Centre - http://www.antdiv.gov.au/datacentre/index.html
Australian
Biological Resources Study -
http://www.anbg.gov.au/abrs/index.html
Australian Bureau
of Statistics - http://www.abs.gov.au
Australian National Botanic Gardens - http://www.anbg.gov.au/
Bureau of Meteorology - http://www.bom.gov.au/
National Forest Inventory – http://www.brs.gov.au/nfi
National Land and Water Resources Audit - http://www.nlwra.gov.au
Natural Heritage Trust - http://www.nht.gov.au/
Australian and New
Zealand Land Information Council (ANZLIC) -
http://www.anzlic.org.au
Commonwealth Spatial Data Committee - http://www.csdc.gov.au
Australian Spatial Data Infrastructure (ASDI) -
http://www.anzlic.org.au/asdi/asdimain.htm
Australian Surveying & Land Information Group
(AUSLIG) - http://www.auslig.gov.au
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act -http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/index.html
National Greenhouse Strategy - http://www.greenhouse.gov.au
National Pollutant Inventory - http://www.npi.ea.gov.au
Regional Forest
Agreements - http://www.rfa.gov.au
Eco-efficiency and Cleaner Production - http://www.environment.gov.au/epg/environet/eecp/
Public Environment Reporting - http://www.environment.gov.au/epg/environet/eecp/tools3.html
Australian
Libraries Gateway - http://www.nla.gov.au/libraries/
National Resource
Information Centre (NRIC) -
http://www.brs.gov.au/nric/index.html
Australia’s
EnviroNET - http://www.
environet.ea.gov.au
World Meteorological Organization - http://www.wmo.ch/
Status
There is no single overall information
network structure relating to sustainable development. Rather, information networks are established
on a specific or sectoral basis. For
example, the Australian Bureau of Statistics maintains statistical collections
relevant to differing aspects, or sectors, of sustainable development. These various collections are incorporated as
part of the various information network structures employed on the basis of
separate sectoral or issue-specific relevance.
A similar approach is taken in relation to State of the Environment
Reporting data and the Australian Spatial Data Directory.
Challenges
Australian institutions are making the transition from
sectoral-based policies, programs and data management regimes to more
integrated approaches supporting sustainable development. While technical and
financial constraints exist, the greatest challenges are in breaking down
barriers to inter-institutional collaboration, and freeing up access to
existing data.
Increasingly,
community groups at local, rural and regional levels require improved access to
existing information and the capacity to apply that information. This is a
matter of degree rather than an absolute issue. For example, over 300,000
individuals have participated in local and regional Natural Heritage Trust
projects. These projects were based soundly on the available information.
However the increased emphasis on catchment-based approaches increases the need
in these areas.
These issues are the subject of consideration by
a number of Government-initiated processes. These include: the development of a
Spatial Information Industry Action Agenda, consideration of high-level
information management issues to follow the National Land and Water Resources
Audit, the establishment of a task force to focus on technical implementation
of the ANZECC environmental indicators and the Productivity Commission inquiry
into pricing and access issues which includes data issues.
A particular challenge for Australia is how to reach small
and medium enterprises (SMEs) with information on the need for sustainability
and how they can achieve this. The vast
number and transience of SMEs make them a difficult target. A range of methods have been tried, including
the recent development of a program to sign voluntary eco-efficiency agreements
with industry associations, which in turn can then reach their members, large
or small.
Capacity-Building, Education, Training and
Awareness-raising
Australia’s
strategies for education, training and awareness raising in relation to
information and decision making on sustainable development; and for information
about building Australia’s information network capacities.
Australia
possesses considerable capacity for undertaking the above-mentioned activities
and much of the current effort is devoted to maintaining this capacity. Departments and government agencies undertake
a large number of programs and initiatives relevant to capacity building for
the various aspects and sectors of sustainable development. Examples follow.
A National Action Plan for Salinity
and Water Quality in Australia
This
Action Plan proposes an initial Commonwealth funding package of $700 million
over seven years, to be matched by the States, to address critical salinity and
deteriorating water quality problems in twenty highly affected catchments and
regions. The National Action Plan for
Salinity and Water Quality in Australia will build the capacity of
land-holders, communities and regions and apply new scientific and technical
knowledge by:
- reorienting the landcare facilitator and coordinator support network;
- developing the management and technical skills of land managers and other stakeholders
- extending information and data to communities so that they can effectively develop and implement their plans; and
- developing appropriate catchment/regional delivery bodies/arrangements to implement the plans.
The
Action Plan will also establish salinity response teams to provide specific technical expertise to assist communities to
develop integrated catchment/region management plans.
Land and Water
Resources Development Corporation
The
Land and Water Resource Development Corporation (LWRRDC) funds the Social and
Institutional Research Program (SIRP). SIRP research projects completed to date
have focussed on a range of priority issues including:
- interdisciplinary research methodologies;
- participatory approaches to sustainable natural resource management;
- decision support models;
- the role of regulation in managing resource use; and
- a framework for evaluating natural resource management policies and programs.
Research
results are being communicated to policy makers for consideration and
utilisation in appropriate policy development.
Web-sites
The National Action Plan on Salinity and
Water Quality ‑ http://www.afffa.gov.au/outputs/nrm.html#3
Land and Water Resources Development Corporation - http://www.lwrrdc.gov.au
Social and Institutional Research Program - http://www.sirp.gov.au
Information
The Environmental Resources Information Network (ERIN), located in Environment Australia is providing environmental information for policy development and decision-makers. ERIN databases store a vast array of information about the environment, ranging from endangered species to drought and water pollution. Information is drawn from many sources including maps, species distributions, documents and satellite imagery. Through the Internet the community can access this information and the analytical tools to interpret it. It is found on Internet at http://www.erin.gov.au.
The Australian Commonwealth Government Entry
Point
The
Australian Commonwealth Government Entry Point provides easy access to all
Commonwealth authorised information and services. A list of relevant sites is given below:
Australian Commonwealth Government Entry Point - http://www.fed.gov.au/
Australian Environment Atlas –
http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/enviromaps/v3/enviromaps.pl
Agriculture,
Fisheries and Forestry - Australia - http://www.affa.gov.au
Australian
Spatial Data Directory - http://www.environment.gov.au/net/asdd/
Bureau
of Rural Sciences - http://www.brs.gov.au
Business Entry Point - http://about.business.gov.au
CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) - http://www.csiro.au
Environment Australia - http://www.environment.gov.au/
Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Database - http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/db/info.html
Green
Pages - the Environmental Data Directory - http://www.environment.gov.au/edd/owa/edd_search2.category_list
National Land and Water Resources Audit
- http://www.nlwra.gov.au
INFOTERRA - http://www.environment.gov.au/library/infoterra/index.html
Spatial
Information Industry Action Agenda - http://www.minister.industry.gov.au/minchin/releases/2000/may/cmr220%2D00.doc
Virtual Engineering Library for Sustainable
Development - http://www.ulb.ac.be/ceese/meta/sustvl.html
Australian
Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation -
http://www.ansto.gov.au/ansto/environment1/index.html
Australian
Geological Survey Organisation –
http://www.agso.gov.au
Australian
Surveying and Land Information Group –
http://www.auslig.gov.au
Australian Government Analytical
Laboratories –
Australia’s EnviroNET –
http://www.environet.ea.gov.au
Business Entry Point
The
Business Entry Point (BEP) provides business users with quick and easy access
to information and resources for approximately 150 Federal, State and Territory
government agencies and 125 industry associations. The web-site will be enhanced in the near future
to include information about licences, codes of practice and a broader range of
transactions.
Biodiversity Clearing House
The Clearing-House Mechanism (CHM) of the Convention on Biological Diversity promotes scientific and technical cooperation between Parties to the Convention. It also facilitates global access to, and exchange of, biodiversity information.
At
the national level, the CHM serves the information needs of those organisations
involved in implementing the provisions of the Convention and the National Strategy for the Conservation of
Australia's Biological Diversity.
Clearing-House
Mechanism of the Convention on Biological Diversity http://chm.environment.gov.au/
Virtual Engineering Library for Sustainable
Development
The
Virtual Engineering Library for Sustainable Development contains a
comprehensive list of Internet sites dealing with sustainable development,
including organisations, projects and activities, electronic journals,
libraries, references and documents, databases, directories or meta-databases.
INFOTERRA
This
Guide to Australian Environment Resources provides a single access point for
information about Australian government environment programs and services.
Green Pages - The Environmental Data
Directory
Green
Pages - the Environmental Data Directory, provides information about data held
within Environment Australia. The
directory is accessible via the Internet and is compatible with the Meta-data
Guidelines of the Australia New Zealand Land Information Council [ANZLIC].
Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Database
The
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Database assists public
awareness and understanding of Australia's new environment legislation – the Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999.
Australian Spatial Data Directory
The
Australian Spatial Data Directory (ASDD) is a national initiative administered
under the auspices of ANZLIC - the Spatial Information Council. The ASDD aims to improve access to Australian
spatial data. The directory links
government and commercial nodes in each State/Territory with Commonwealth
spatial data agencies. The ASDD is an
essential component of the Australian Spatial Data Infrastructure (ASDI) and
provides search interfaces to geo-spatial data-set descriptions (meta-data)
from all jurisdictions throughout Australia.
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology
Organisation (ANSTO)
ANSTO
uses radio-tracing and nuclear analysis for biological risk assessments, as
part its studies of bio-geochemical processes affecting the transport, fate,
bio-availability and impact of pollutants in aquatic environments. These studies have a particular emphasis upon
biological cycling, bio-accumulation and bio-toxicity of heavy metals and
radionuclides.
Australian Geological Survey Organisation
(AGSO)
The
core business of AGSO is to deliver geo-scientific research and information
services which provide economic, social and environmental benefits for the
Australian community.
Australian Surveying and Land Information
Group (AUSLIG)
AUSLIG’s spatial data collection, production and coordination activities ensure the availability of fundamental geographic information for the Australian community. AUSLIG’S map and satellite image data are particularly useful for environmental monitoring and natural resource management.
Research and Technologies
The National Resource Information Centre (NRIC) develops advanced computing systems designed to service policy and community needs for information on sustainable development. NRIC integrates information from diverse disciplines using data modelling, decision support systems, visualisation and animation to analyse and then communicate the complexities of natural and socio-economic systems. Its information resources consist of more than 50 national and 100 regional spatially maintained datasets, and FINDAR, a software package for interrogating metadata on more than 6500 databases that it maintains as a directory linked to all other major international directories. NRIC also provides training in information technologies and applications for sustainable development to domestic and international agencies via its Advanced Systems Institute. NRIC has an active Internet site at http://www.nric.gov.au.
Australia has, in general, a high level of technological
awareness and utilises the full range of current technologies.
The CSIRO (http://www.csiro.au/), universities, and other
agencies have pioneered many innovative techniques for data collection. Particular emphasis has been placed on rapid,
cost-effective methods for regional surveys.
Australia relies heavily upon remotely sensed data, derived from
space-and-air-borne instruments, from both local and international
sources. Continental-scale remote
sensing data is used to monitor changes in land cover, fires, floods, responses
to El Niño – Southern Oscillation, etc., while finer-resolution data is used to
address more localized issues. Global positioning system technologies are also
widely used.
Australia is an innovative and heavy user of these
technologies. Techniques for data
storage, management and assessment, developed by universities and research
agencies, are being widely adopted by governments and the private sector. Geographic information and related systems
are being increasingly used for policy development and program implementation.
These tools are progressively being placed directly in the hands of
decision-makers and their immediate advisers.
Geographic information products and systems are becoming increasingly
and directly available to decision-makers and the wider community, via the
Internet.
Financing
Expenditure on
information for sustainable development
There are no consolidated estimates of the funds allocated
to managing information about sustainable development.
The Australian Government has established
a program of Action Agendas to improve the growth prospects for, and global
competitiveness of, Australian industries.
Action Agendas are collaboratively developed between government and
particular industry sectors. General
objectives include clarifying the balance of responsibilities between
government and business, removing barriers to growth, and increasing productive
investment and innovation. The
development of an Action Agenda for the Spatial Information Industry was announced
on 24 May 2000 and is due by the end of June 2001. The spatial information industry includes
suppliers of software, hardware, data and services for users of location-based
(geographic) information. Australia’s
Ministerial Council for Spatial Information has prepared a discussion paper on
key issues.
Web-sites
Action Agendas - http://www.isr.gov.au/agendas/
Discussion paper - http://www.anzlic.org.au/indev/disc_pap.htm
Spatial Information Industry Action Agenda - http://www.minister.industry.gov.au/minchin/releases/2000/may/cmr220%2D00.doc
Cooperation
Australia has signed Memoranda of
Understanding (MoU) for bilateral cooperation with a number of countries to
enable mutual exchange of information on environmental and sustainable
development issues, including information management.
Australia participates in a number
of international sustainable development forums and shares its sustainable
development knowledge and expertise with other countries.
Australia contributes funds to key
international institutions promoting multilateral solutions to environmental
problems, including information management.
Among these organisations are the: United Nations Environment Program;
World Health Organisation; United Nations Fund for Population Activities; United
Nations Development Fund for Women; OECD;World Bank; World Meteorological
Organisation; United Nations Development Program; International Maritime
Organisation; United Nations Education and Scientific Cooperation Organisation;
Food and Agriculture Organisation; International Tropical Timber Organisation,
and the twenty‑two international agricultural research centres, including
the sixteen centres of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural
Research.
The headline indicator set has been developed to address the objectives of Australia’s National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development 1992 (http://www.environment.gov.au/psg/igu/nsesd/index.html). International, and other national government, work on sustainability indicators has been considered during the development of Australia’s headline indicator set, but there is no direct linkage between the Australian headline set and those being developed in other countries or regional and international organisations.
* *
*
Click here for the Australian Bureau of statistics.
Click here for EnviroNET Australia links.
Click here for National Resource Information Center.
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INTERNATIONAL LAW
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
In May 1996, the Federal Government introduced a number of treaty reforms designed to take fuller account of Australia's federal structure and the importance of consultation with Australian State and Territory Governments. At an intergovernmental level, a Treaties Council has been established as an adjunct to the Council of Australian Governments. At the federal level, all treaties, with the exception of urgent and sensitive treaties, are required to be tabled in Parliament at least 15 sitting days to allow for Parliamentary scrutiny before binding treaty action is taken. In addition National Interest Analyses are required to be prepared for all treaties to which Australia is considering becoming a party. This package of treaty reforms will enhance domestic involvement in, and ensure Parliamentary scrutiny of, treaties to which Australia intends to become a party. In this way treaty reforms are expected to have a positive impact on the operation and implementation of international environmental law in Australia.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
Since UNCED, Australia has continued to support the
development of international environmental law through a range of activities.
These included treaty formulation, domestic implementation of treaty
obligations and improved processes to ensure greater transparency in Australian
treaty-making.
Decision-Making: Major
Group Involvement
No information is available
Programmes and Projects
No information is available
Status
No information is available
Challenges
No information is available
Capacity-Building, Education, Training and
Awareness-Raising
No information is available
Information
No information is available
Research and Technologies
No information is available
Financing
No information is available
Cooperation
Australia has played an active role in a number of multilateral agreements
including the Basel Convention, negotiations to draw up an international
Convention on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, the Montreal
Protocol, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Convention on
Biological Diversity. At a regional level, Australia has participated in a
number of negotiations under the SPREP Convention and the Apia Convention.
Australia also played an active role in the development of the Regional
Convention on Hazardous and Radioactive Wastes (Waigani Convention).
* * *
This information was provided by the Government of Australia to the 5th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Last update: 1 April 1997.
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