Environmental Bulletin – May 2026
Australia – Aviation – Changes to Schedules of Airports (Environment Protection) Regulations proposed
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is seeking feedback on proposed changes to the Schedules of the Airports (Environment Protection) Regulations 2026. The proposed changes would update Schedules 1 to 4 to better align with national standards for air, water and soil pollution, and update standards to identify excessive noise.
Comments close 19 May 2026.
View the proposed updates here
Australia – Emissions reduction – Review of National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme method for open-cut coal mines announced
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has released the terms of reference for its review of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting scheme Method 2, which is used to estimate fugitive greenhouse gas emissions from open-cut coal mines. The review will ensure that the method remains fit for purpose and incorporates current science, data, technologies and practices.
New South Wales – Waste – New Bill to strengthen plastic reduction measures introduced
The NSW Government has introduced the Environmental Legislation Amendment (Plastic Reduction and Container Recycling) Bill 2026 into Parliament to make further provision for plastic reduction, the container deposit scheme, and other related things.