This course examines the emerging legal regime for the development and deployment of renewable energy in the stationary energy sector in Australia. Set against the backdrop of climate change and the need to secure Australia’s future energy security, the course examines the origins and development of Australia’s renewable energy laws and provides an overview of the provisions of relevant renewable energy framework legislation. Other topics examined include challenges associated with integration of renewable energy into the national electricity market; legislative and policy incentives for the promotion of renewable energy; technology specific legislative regimes for renewable energy such as geothermal energy; planning and property law issues associated with renewable energy; and consumers and green power schemes.

Matthew Baird is an Australian barrister with over 25 years involvement in planning and environmental law. He is Australia’s foremost presenter on nuclear law issues, and has been involved in successful challenges to major projects based on climate change grounds. He has an extensive background in public participation and the due process rules relating to the assessment of major projects and critical infrastructure projects. For the past three years his expertise in climate change litigation has been recognised by his inclusion as the only barrister in Best Lawyers Australia – Climate Change. Matthew has consulted on EIA training in Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar. Matthew conducted the first training session on EIA for civil society groups in Yangon, Myanmar. He has also been working on the re-drafting of the EIA Law for Cambodia in conjunction with the Ministry of the Environment and Vishnu Law Group. Matthew is currently consulting with the Asian Development Bank on the establishment of the Asian Judges Network on Environment.

More information can be found on the Course Outline Website.