Meta Data

Draft:

Revision of previous policy?:

Yes

Draft Year:

2015

Effective Start Year:

2018

Effective End Year:

2020

Scope:

National

Document Type:

Plan/Strategy

Economic Sector:

Multi-Sector

Energy Types:

All, Other

Issued by:

Australian Government, Department of the Environment and Energy

Source:

Australian Government, Department of the Environment and Energy

File:

National Clean Air Agreement 2018-2020 Work Plan

Overall Summary:

The National Clean Air Agreement 2018-2020 work plan updates the 2015-2017 work plan by removing those actions that have been completed and updating ongoing actions. It continues to cover a range of long-standing air quality priorities, as well as supporting delivery of a number of new initiatives and scoping projects regarding air quality issues.

Environment

Pollution control action plans:

Action/Timeframe: Commence review of latest scientific evidence of health impacts following update of the World Health Organization’s current (2005) ambient air quality standard guidelines expected in 2019. Present proposed standards to the National Environment Protection Council for consideration, with a view to strengthening the standards by the end of 2019. Assess options to improve fuel quality standards through regulation impact statement and public consultation processes during 2018. Outcomes due to be completed by 1 October 2019. Complete the review in 2018 through a survey of jurisdictional needs for the NEPMs. If this review concludes that the NEPMs should be varied or revoked, this significant body of work would proceed following amendments to the National Environment Protection Council Act 1994 to streamline provisions governing NEPM review processes. Jurisdictions to complete adoption of new wood heater emissions and efficiency standards in 2018 and to continue sharing best practice management approaches information. Evaluate the potential for a national approach to manage non-road diesel engine emissions by the end of 2019. Seek opportunities to engage with the non-government sector to identify effective non-regulatory approaches to manage air quality and influence better air quality outcomes (ongoing). National Environmental Science Programme – Clean Air and Urban Landscapes Hub. A six-year funded programme with hubs commencing early 2015. Complete the review of the Inventory, in accordance with the Terms of Reference approved by the National Environment Protection Council in November 2016, for its consideration in late 2018.1 Commence implementation of review outcomes as agreed by the Council.

Full Document Text

National Clean Air Agreement - Work Plan

The National Clean Air Agreement provides for a rolling program of activities, as specifed in the work plan, to respond to air quality priorities.

The work plan will be formally reviewed by Environment Ministers every two years, to ensure that actions under the Agreement remain relevant and to maintain accountability for delivery. This does not preclude an action being completed or implemented ahead of this timeframe, nor priorities being identifed for potential inclusion in the work plan in the interim. The agreed work plan, including updates, will be made publicly available.

Work plan – 2018 to 2020

The 2018-2020 work plan updates the 2015-2017 work plan by removing those actions that have been completed and updating ongoing actions. It continues to cover a range of long-standing air quality priorities, as well as supporting delivery of a number of new initiatives and scoping projects regarding air quality issues.

Work Plan 2018-2020

Approach	Priority areas	Lead	Action/Timeframe
Standards	Review latest scientifc evidence of health impacts in relation to annual average PM₁₀ standards in the National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure	NSW and VIC	Commence review of latest scientifc evidence of health impacts following update of the World Health Organization’s current (2005) ambient air quality standard guidelines expected in 2019.
	Complete review of National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and ozone standards	VIC	Present proposed standards to the National Environment Protection Council for consideration, with a view to strengthening the standards by the end of 2019.
	Review legislative instruments made under the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000	Cth	Assess options to improve fuel quality standards through regulation impact statement and public consultation processes during 2018. Outcomes due to be completed by 1 October 2019.
	Review the need for the Air Toxics and Diesel Vehicle Emissions National Environment Protection Measures (NEPMs)	Cth	Complete the review in 2018 through a survey of jurisdictional needs for the NEPMs. If this review concludes that the NEPMs should be varied or revoked, this signifcant body of work would proceed following amendments to the National Environment Protection Council Act 1994 to streamline provisions governing NEPM review processes.
Emission reduction measures	Reduce emissions from wood heaters	All	Jurisdictions to complete adoption of new wood heater emissions and efciency standards in 2018 and to continue sharing best practice management approaches information.
Emission reduction measures	Management of non-road diesel engine emissions	Cth and NSW	Evaluate the potential for a national approach to manage non-road diesel engine emissions by the end of 2019.
Partnerships and cooperation	Engage and explore opportunities with non-government stakeholders to positively infuence air quality outcomes	All	Seek opportunities to engage with the non-government sector to identify efe ctive non-regulatory approaches to manage air quality and infuence better air quality outcomes (ongoing).
Better knowledge, education and awareness	Improve access to reliable air quality information for researchers, policy makers and the community	Cth	National Environmental Science Programme – Clean Air and Urban Landscapes Hub. A six-year funded programme with hubs commencing early 2015.
	National Pollutant Inventory reforms	Cth	Complete the review of the Inventory, in accordance with the Terms of Reference approved by the National Environment Protection Council in November 2016, for its consideration in late 2018.^{^[1]} Commence implementation of review outcomes as agreed by the Council.

[1]Terms of Reference available at: http://www.npi.gov.au/resource/national-pollutant-inventory-review-2017-...