The Safeguard Mechanism (SM) was established as part of the federal Emissions Reduction Fund in 2016. The mechanism places a legislated obligation on Australia’s largest greenhouse gas emitters (facilities with direct scope 1 emissions of more than 100,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year) to keep net emissions below their emissions baseline. The baseline was initially set based on the highest level of reported emissions for a facility from 2009-14. The federal Government released two consultation papers in March 2018 and September 2018 aimed at bringing emissions baselines up-to-date.
Emissions Trading; GHG Emission Regulation
Active
Emissions Trading; GHG Emission Regulation
Active
In a March 2023 consultation response to the Select Committee on Cost of Living, the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association advocated for investments in new fossil fuel supply, suggesting that this would apply downward pressure on energy prices and that any restrictions would amplify the cost of living crisis. Furthermore, it also stated that the recently agreed Safeguard Mechanism design would also contribute to higher prices due to its additional requirements on the fossil fuel sector.
The table below lists the entities tracked by InfluenceMap which have publicly engaged with the policy. InfluenceMap tracks around 300 companies and 150 industry associations globally. Each entity links back to the entities’ full InfluenceMap profile, where the evidence of its engagement can be found.
| Influencemap Performance Band | Organization | Policy Position | Policy Engagement Intensity |
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