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Top-tier partner to chair energy efficiency review
A partner at an international law firm has been appointed to lead the government’s review of energy efficiency legislation.
Tom Lodewyke
Allens recently announced that partner and head of innovation Anna Collyer (pictured) will lead the Australian government’s statutory review into the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Act 2012 (GEMS Act). The legislation sets minimum energy performance standards and energy rating label requirements.
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The review will question whether the act is still appropriate and effective considering changes in technology and energy consumption since 2012, according to a statement from Allens.
The firm said the review will consider amendments to better enable the legislation to respond to changing dynamics and provide for adequate compliance arrangements for new products.
From 2015 to 2020, existing and proposed GEMS regulations are estimated to reduce Australia’s emissions by at least 27 megatonnes, according to Allens. This is the equivalent of taking over 8 million cars off the road for a year.
“We’ve seen significant changes to energy consumption patterns in recent years as a result of huge leaps in technologies like home energy generation, energy storage and smart appliances,” Ms Collyer said.
“While the GEMS Act already has a built-in degree of flexibility, we will be considering whether it is able to deliver effective regulation for further categories of products where that will deliver significant savings in energy and greenhouse emissions.
“The review will put us at the forefront of international best practice in energy efficiency regulation, and I’m honoured to be leading that process.”
The review will include consultation with stakeholders including state, territory and New Zealand governments, industry associations and consumer groups. It will commence immediately, with the final report to be delivered this year.
Pictured: Allens partner and head of innovation Anna Collyer
