To minimise the effects of climate change, all Environmental Impact Assessments conducted by the EPA should assess greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) against a carbon budget for 1.5 degrees. In alignment with best practice climate impact assessment and GHG mitigation, this should involve:
- taking responsibility to reduce emissions;
- applying end-to-end attribution methods that establish clear links between project emissions and specific damages to WA’s environment from climate change;
- early screening, scoping and consultation to acknowledge project impact, risk and attribution;
- identifying 1.5°C aligned mitigation strategies for all emissions (scopes 1, 2 & 3);
- establishing strong post-decision monitoring and reporting mechanisms that ensure emissions are kept in line with 1.5°C targets;
- adoption of a 1.5°C carbon budget analysis, with consideration of other projects and strict limits to offsets.