Insights Modern slavery reforms: public consultation commences on proposed ‘failure to prevent’ offence On 21 August 2026, the Attorney-General’s Department released a Consultation Paper on a proposed new criminal offence for large entities that ‘fail to prevent’ modern slavery within their supply chains. This consultation forms part of t… 2 Sep 2026
Insights G+T's Super Vision G+T's Super Vision is a series of concise video briefings on superannuation regulatory developments that impact our superannuation clients. 27 Aug 2026
Insights Climate risk in the courtroom: what the 2026 global trends mean for Australian companies 24 Aug 2026
Insights Financing the next phase of the energy transition podcast This podcast series explores the commercial, legal and financing issues shaping the next generation of renewable energy and storage projects. 20 Aug 2026
Insights Doing business in Australia A practical guide to Australia’s legal and regulatory landscape for businesses, investors and legal advisers entering or operating in Australia. It provides an overview of Australia’s system of government, legal framework and key regulators… 30 Jul 2026
Insights Building and scaling an Australian data centre platform: from market entry to platform scale Australia has become a key destination for data centre developers, investors and operators seeking exposure to long-term digital infrastructure growth. 15 Jul 2026
Insights NSW Climate Change and Natural Hazards SEPP: Planning for a resilient future The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) has announced the preparation of a proposed new Climate Change and Natural Hazards State Environmental Planning Policy (the CC&NH SEPP). 3 Mar 2026
Insights Community energy at scale: unlocking Australia’s next energy frontier After years of record rooftop solar uptake, Australia faces a new question: how do we move from individual participation to shared and genuine community ownership of energy infrastructure? 2 Mar 2026
Insights Greenwashing decision: what the ACCR v Santos case means for your climate disclosures The Federal Court has dismissed greenwashing claims brought by the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility against Santos. 25 Feb 2026
Insights NSW Water Management reforms: stronger enforcement and penalties On 13 November 2025, the Water Management Legislation Amendment (Stronger Enforcement and Penalties) Bill 2025 passed through NSW Parliament (Bill). The Bill introduces a raft of law reforms relating to the management of water in NSW to del… 9 Dec 2025
Insights The global mutirão: COP30 outcomes and key takeaways The 30th session of the United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP30) concluded in Belém, Brazil, in the evening of 23 November 2025, after two weeks of intense international climate negotiations. COP30 ended with a suite of decisions th… 28 Nov 2025
Insights Draft MNES Standard outlines new requirements for projects affecting protected matters Draft MNES Standard sets new rules for projects affecting protected matters, outlining stricter approval requirements and key changes to EPBC Act processes. Find out more at Gilbert + Tobin. 27 Nov 2025
Insights A pivotal moment for climate action: what to expect at COP30 in Belém COP30 will be a test of how and when Parties will implement sector-wide changes to decarbonise the economy. The COP30 President-Designate André Corrêa do Lago has stated that COP30 must be remembered as the ‘COP of implementation and adapta… 6 Nov 2025
Insights Water Markets Intermediaries Code – Preparing for Phase 2 Obligations The Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Act 2023 inserted a new Part 5 into the Water Act 2007 (Cth) (Water Act), enabling the development of a mandatory code - the Water Markets Intermediaries Code (Code) and a statutory trust-accountin… 17 Sep 2025
Insights Treasury commences consultation on Australia’s first climate related transition planning guidance In August 2025, the Australian Government (Treasury) released its Consultation Paper on Climate-related Transition Planning Guidance proposing voluntary guidance on best practice for climate related transition planning (Draft Guidance). The… 16 Sep 2025
Insights NSW EPA proposes prescriptive climate change mitigation requirements for high emitting facilities The NSW EPA is proposing prescriptive climate change mitigation requirements for high-emitting facilities. Learn who is captured, compliance obligations and key implications. 4 Sep 2025
Insights Australian Government commences its first stage of consultation to strengthen the Modern Slavery Act On 21 July 2025, the Australian Government released a Consultation Paper proposing reforms to Australia’s Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) (Modern Slavery Act). 5 Aug 2025
Insights A landmark climate verdict – the International Court of Justice unanimously confirms states have a legal obligation to protect the climate The ICJ’s climate advisory opinion expands States’ legal duties and raises regulatory risks for business, shaping global climate governance. Read more at Gilbert + Tobin. 1 Aug 2025
Insights Global trends in climate change litigation: key themes from 2025 snapshot report 17 Jul 2025
Insights Accelerating green capital: what Australia’s first sustainable finance taxonomy means for business Australia’s new Sustainable Finance Taxonomy sets criteria for climate-aligned activities, shaping reporting, finance and transition plans. Read more at Gilbert + Tobin. 2 Jul 2025
Insights Offsetting off track? EnergyAustralia apologises over greenwashing allegations EnergyAustralia’s settlement over carbon neutral claims highlights rising greenwashing risks, offset concerns and growing ACCC expectations for clear disclosures. Visit Gilbert + Tobin for more. 4 Jun 2025
Insights Mandatory climate-related financial disclosure has commenced: what you need to know about the new regime, standards and regulatory guidance 22 May 2025
Insights Biodiversity SODAs: a new offsetting pathway for major energy transition projects in NSW NSW introduces SODAs, a new offset pathway for major energy projects linking approvals to strategic, cost-efficient biodiversity outcomes. Read more at Gilbert + Tobin. 19 May 2025
Insights Outcome of the Review of the Modern Slavery Act The Australian Government’s response to the Modern Slavery Act review signals tougher compliance ahead. What this means for the metals and mining sector. 22 Apr 2025
Web page Sustainability Insights Sustainability Insights provides strategic analysis of global sustainability policy and practice to help leaders anticipate trends, risks and opportunities. 26 Mar 2025
Insights Greenwashing, greenhushing and sustainability – what’s been happening and what to expect in the year ahead Greenwashing and ESG collaborations remain top ACCC and ASIC priorities in 2025 as regulators tighten scrutiny and global headwinds challenge net zero goals. 11 Mar 2025
Insights Gilbert + Tobin’s Review of the Energy Sector in 2024 2024 saw significant momentum towards energy, sustainability and climate-related goals. 10 Jan 2025
Insights The ‘Finance COP’: COP29 outcomes and key takeaways for businesses on global climate action 2 Dec 2024
Insights Biodiversity COP16 – Key outcomes and what they mean for business COP16 delivered key biodiversity outcomes with new Indigenous participation and benefit-sharing mechanisms, shaping global and business nature-positive action. 6 Nov 2024
Insights Largest greenwashing penalty so far of $12.9m imposed on Vanguard On 25 September 2024, the Federal Court ordered Vanguard Investments Australia (Vanguard) to pay a $12.9 million penalty, after Vanguard admitted it had made false or misleading representations and engaged in conduct that was liable to misl… 4 Oct 2024
Insights Climate-related financial disclosure: passed by the Senate and one step away from enactment The Senate has passed a bill introducing climate-related financial disclosure for Australian companies. Learn more about the new sustainability reporting requirements in the Corporations Act. Read now. 30 Aug 2024
Insights Landmark Federal Court penalty for ASIC greenwashing proceeding Federal Court finds Mercer Superannuation engaged in misleading conduct. Learn about the implications for superannuation funds and investors. Read now. 6 Aug 2024
Insights Key themes from the 'Global Trends in Climate Change Litigation: 2024 Snapshot' Report Global climate change litigation surged in 2023. Discover key trends and themes in this annual report by the Grantham Research Institute and Sabin Centre. Read now 23 Jul 2024
Insights ACCC consults on draft guidance for sustainability collaborations On 8 July 2024, the ACCC published a draft guide on sustainability collaborations and Australian competition law (Draft Guide) for consultation. 11 Jul 2024
Insights International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea delivers first climate change Advisory Opinion On 21 May 2024, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) delivered a highly anticipated (unanimous) Advisory Opinion on the Request submitted to ITLOS by the Commission of Small Island states on Climate Change and Internati… 2 Jul 2024
Insights Progress on climate change negotiations at SB60 but more work needed: Key outcomes and issues for COP29 The 60th session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB60) climate change negotiations concluded on Thursday 13 June, closing two weeks of discussions on increasing climate change action and preparations for the 29th Convention of the Parties (COP29)… 21 Jun 2024
Insights Federal Court decision reinforces ASIC’s stance on greenwashing On 5 June 2024, the Federal Court found that LGSS Pty Ltd, as the trustee of the superannuation fund now known as Active Super (Active Super) made false or misleading representations and engaged in conduct that was liable to mislead the pub… 6 Jun 2024
Insights Implementation of the Paris Agreement: Key agenda items for SB60 and the road to Baku In the aftermath of the first global stocktake at COP28 in Dubai last year, which concluded that the world is not on track to achieving the long-term temperature goals of the Paris Agreement, the Parties to the Paris Agreement meet again at… 2 Jun 2024
Insights European Court of Human Rights Finds Switzerland In Breach For Inadequate Climate Change Action Explore how the European Court of Human Rights holds Switzerland accountable for its inadequate response to climate change. Learn more on Gilbert + Tobin. 23 Apr 2024
Insights Climate-related financial disclosure: new framework proposed On 27 March 2024, the Federal government introduced the Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Market Infrastructure and Other Measures) Bill 2024 (Cth) (the Bill) to the House of Representatives. Schedule 4 of the Bill proposes a new mandatory… 8 Apr 2024
Insights ASIC's first greenwashing win in Federal Court On 28 March 2024, the Federal Court found that Vanguard Investments Australia Ltd (Vanguard) made false or misleading representations and engaged in conduct that was liable to mislead the public in relation to an “ethically conscious&… 5 Apr 2024
Insights Codes, carbon credits and scope 3 emissions: Greenwashing in 2024 The greenwashing space is continuing to develop globally, and Australian developments are only stoking the fire. Below we detail some key recent updates from closer to home. 19 Feb 2024
Insights Gilbert + Tobin’s Energy Infrastructure Year in Review While it is impossible to summarise what has happened in the energy infrastructure market in 2023 in one sentence, we always enjoy a challenge. So how have we seen the market this year? 21 Dec 2023
Insights The UAE Consensus: key outcomes from COP28 The COP28 climate conference concluded on Wednesday night, with Parties finally agreeing their response to the first Global Stocktake (GST) under the Paris Agreement. The decision - termed the ‘UAE Consensus’ - notes that despit… 18 Dec 2023
Insights Modern slavery reforms: first national Anti-Slavery Commissioner On 30 November 2023, the Modern Slavery Amendment (Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner) Bill 2023 (the Bill) was introduced (and had its second reading) in the House of Representatives. 14 Dec 2023
Insights Five days into COP28: What have we seen so far? Significant developments in the early stages of COP28 It has been five days since this year’s UN Climate Change Conference, the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) kicked off in Dubai. While negotiations on many key issues includin… 5 Dec 2023
Insights COP28 Explainer: What is the first Global Stocktake? This year’s UN Climate Change Conference, the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28), will see the culmination of the first Global Stocktake (GST) with the convening of CMA 5, the fifth Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting… 20 Nov 2023
Insights The Inclusive COP: What to expect at COP28 Update 30 November 2023: today, Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, tabled the Australian Government’s second Annual Climate Change Statement in Parliament, and described Australia’s priorities for COP28 in a sp… 20 Nov 2023
Insights Nature-related disclosures: what next for Australian companies? Introduction: The Task Force for Nature-related Financial Disclosures publishes its final recommendations Biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse is viewed as one of the fastest deteriorating global risks over the next decade. 7 Nov 2023
Insights Taking stock of a busy month in Australian climate litigation A busy month in Australian climate litigation October has been a very active month for Australian climate litigation, with important implications for federal climate policy. A decision of the Federal Court provided clarity on the role of cl… 26 Oct 2023
Insights 2023 a Key Year for Safeguard Reform Sustainability Disclosure There is no doubt that 2023 has been a significant year for climate law and policy reform, both in Australia and overseas. For Australian businesses, few reforms have been more noteworthy than the introduction of long-awaited changes to the… 3 Oct 2023
Insights ACCU Review Discussion Paper released for public consultation On 25 August 2023, the Federal Government released for public consultation the ACCU Review Discussion Paper (Discussion Paper). 6 Sep 2023
Insights ACCC issues its draft greenwashing guidance for businesses Today the ACCC issued its draft guidance for businesses making environmental and sustainability claims. Its draft guidance outlines eight “good practice” principles for business in helping them comply with their obligations unde… 14 Jul 2023
Insights ISSB launches global sustainability and climate disclosure standards After more than a year of consultations, last week, the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) issued its first two International Financial Reporting Standards: ‘IFRS S1 General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainabili… 4 Jul 2023
Insights Review of Australia’s Modern Slavery Act: Key proposals and implications The review of Australia's Modern Slavery Act 2018 reveals varied opinions on its effectiveness. Key recommendations include lowering the reporting threshold to $50m, introducing new criteria, establishing an Anti-Slavery Commissioner, and i… 6 Jun 2023
Insights New WA EPA guidance on greenhouse gas emissions In April 2023 the Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (WA EPA) released a new revision of its Environmental Factor Guideline on Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Guideline). 2 Jun 2023
Insights Australia-US Joint Leaders’ Statement - A Compact Solution to the Clean Energy Transition? 20 May 2023 saw Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Joe Biden sign the Climate, Critical Minerals and Clean Energy Transformation Compact (Compact) at the sidelines of the annual Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Japan. 24 May 2023
Insights Final Safeguard Mechanism design released Introduction As the 1 July 2023 date for reforms to the Safeguard Mechanism looms closer, on Friday 5 May, the Federal Government registered a set of final legislative rules setting out the detailed design elements of the reforms. 9 May 2023
Insights Parliament approves the Safeguard Mechanism (Crediting) Amendment Bill 2023 Last week saw the Federal Government reach a significant milestone toward implementing reforms to the Safeguard Mechanism, with both houses of Parliament finally passing the Safeguard Mechanism (Crediting) Amendment Bill 2023 6 Apr 2023
Insights Spotlight: decarbonisation and M&A The latest chapter of Gilbert + Tobin’s Takeovers + Schemes Review 2023 focuses on decarbonisation and its role in M&A transactions. In 2022, several high-profile public and private M&A proposals had decarbonisation as a key considera… 3 Apr 2023
Insights WA’s proposed carbon capture and storage bill: A readiness review The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety in Western Australia (WA) recently released for comment a draft amendment bill, the Petroleum Legislation Amendment Bill (B) 2023 29 Mar 2023
Insights European Commission takes action to tackle greenwashing European Commission proposes Green Claims Directive to combat greenwashing by establishing uniform regulation of environmental claims and labels. Learn more. 28 Mar 2023
Insights ASIC launches greenwashing court action against superannuation firm ASIC has commenced civil penalty proceedings in the Federal Court for alleged greenwashing conduct by Mercer Superannuation. 3 Mar 2023
Insights ClientEarth sues Shell’s UK Board over its climate risk strategy: Takeaways for Australian directors On 9 February 2023, environmental law charity ClientEarth announced that, as a shareholder in Shell, it had filed a derivative claim in the UK High Court against Shell’s Board. 20 Feb 2023
Insights A year of progression and disruption: 2022 Clean Energy and Decarbonisation yearbook In this article we provide a compilation of our Clean Energy + Decarbonisation article. 16 Feb 2023
Insights The WA Government’s Commitment to Climate Change Action Recognising that action needs to take place to adapt to, mitigate against, and reduce the future impact of climate change, the WA government has recently taken further steps to mandate its commitment to having net zero emissions by 2050. 7 Feb 2023
Insights Safeguard mechanism reforms: exposure draft rules released Following the introduction to Parliament of the Safeguard Mechanism (Crediting) Amendment Bill 2022 in November last year, the Federal Government took the next important step toward implementing reforms to the Safeguard Mechanism. 13 Jan 2023
Insights Chubb review finds Australia’s carbon crediting framework is sound On 9 January 2023, the final report of the independent review into the integrity of Australian Carbon Credit Units and Australia’s carbon crediting framework, was released. The Review commenced in July 2022 and was undertaken by an in… 10 Jan 2023
Insights Reform rumbles along in the West - carbon capture in Australia set to play key role We outline the Greenhouse Gas Storage and Transport Bill and its role in carbon capture and storage in Western Australia and its wider effects. 1 Apr 2022
Insights No 'Duty of Care' but risks of climate litigation continue to grow - insights from the Sharma decision We summarise the decision in Minister for the Environment v Sharma [2022], finding that the duty of care should not be imposed on the Minister and more. 21 Mar 2022