The object of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 is to introduce a single national reporting framework for the reporting and dissemination of information related to greenhouse gas emissions, greenhouse gas projects, energy consumption and energy production of corporations to:
- inform government policy formulation and the Australian public; and
- meet Australia's international reporting obligations; and
- assist Commonwealth, State and Territory government programs and activities; and
- avoid the duplication of similar reporting requirements in the States and Territories.
The Act requires organisations that satisfy any of the conditions below to prepare a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report.
(a) the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted from the operation of facilities under the operational control of entities that are members of the group has a carbon dioxide equivalence of 50 kilotonnes or more; or
(b) the total amount of energy produced from the operation of facilities under the operational control of entities that are members of the group is 200 terajoules or more; or
(c) the total amount of energy consumed from the operation of facilities under the operational control of entities that are members of the group is 200 terajoules or more; or
(d) an entity that is a member of the group has operational control of a facility the operation of which during the year causes consumption of energy of 100 terajoules or more.
Many larger Councils satisfy one or more of these conditions and are therefore required to repair a report.