The Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism plays an important role in contributing to the development and implementation of Australia's sustainable energy and climate change policies. These policies involve ensuring that Australia's emission reductions will be achieved at least economic cost, whilst maintaining adequate, reliable and affordable energy supplies and the international competitiveness of Australian industries.
On 10 July 2011, the Australian Government announced details of its Clean Energy Future package, including a carbon price mechanism to commence on 1 July 2012. Details of the mechanism are outlined in the Clean Energy Future plan.
The plan includes measures to ensure that Australia's energy and resources sectors can be instrumental in developing solutions for a sustainable carbon-constrained economy and help shape the future energy systems for Australia.
The Department has a role in a number of domestic and international measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Department is also contributing to key elements of the Government's strategies on sustainability and water issues, including water reform, waste, and biodiversity conservation. Business sustainability issues (including water availability and use, and corporate social responsibility) are also of importance to the energy, resources and tourism sectors, which are major employers and contributors to economic development, particularly in regional Australia.