Corporate plan 2013-15
Climate Change Authority Corporate Plan 2013-15
CEO Message
This is the first corporate plan of the Climate Change Authority (the Authority).
The Authority’s role is to undertake independent reviews, research and analysis, and provide relevant, insightful, practical advice to the Australian Government on climate change policy that is in the best interests of the Australian community.
As a new organisation, we have had the challenge of establishing ourselves while undertaking the first tranche of reviews required by our legislation. We believe that over the short time of our existence we have consulted widely and provided quality advice. As a result, we have started to establish credibility in the field of climate change and will continue to build on these foundations.
Over the past year we have attracted a high calibre workforce to help deliver our workload.
Through our corporate planning process we have identified a strong commitment to achieving the core goals of the Authority as well as a common set of principles, values and behaviours.
The key elements for success we have identified include commitment to broad stakeholder engagement, operational independence and transparency, and ensuring our outputs are accessible and practical.
This corporate plan is consistent with the intent of the Authority’s guiding legislation and aligned to the needs of its key stakeholders, namely the Australian Government and the Australian community.
Anthea Harris
Chief Executive Officer
Introduction
The Role and Responsibilities of the Authority
The Authority was established under the Climate Change Authority Act 2011 (the Act) and commenced operation on 1 July 2012.
The Authority’s primary objective is to provide independent expert advice on key aspects of the carbon pricing mechanism and the Government’s climate change mitigation initiatives.
The specific functions of the Authority are set out in the Climate Change Authority Act 2011. These include conducting reviews of:
- the Clean Energy Act 2011 and associated provisions, carbon pollution caps, national emissions trajectory and national carbon budget (as per Part 22 of the Clean Energy Act 2011);
- the Carbon Farming Initiative (as per section 306 of the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011;
- the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting System (as per sections 76A and 76B of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007);
- the operation of the Renewable Energy Target scheme (as per section 162 of the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000; and
- the progress in achieving Australia’s emissions reduction targets and national carbon budget.
The Authority may also conduct special reviews as provided for in Part 3 of the Climate Change Authority Act 2011 and research about matters relating to climate change or for purposes in connection with the performance of any of the Authority’s functions.
Under the Act, the Minister and Parliament can request reviews of matters covered by section 293(4) of the Clean Energy Act 2011.
Governance
The Climate Change Authority is an independent statutory authority comprising a chair and eight board members and is supported by a secretariat.
The Authority has been set up as a body corporate to highlight the independence of its activities, although it is able to use government resources as appropriate. As with other Commonwealth bodies where a significant degree of independence is required, the Authority is subject to Ministerial direction on general matters only, not on the conduct or content of its reviews.
The Authority has a Chief Executive Officer who is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Authority.
The Authority is required to produce a corporate plan setting out the Authority’s objectives and the strategies and policies that are to be used to achieve those objectives.
The Authority is also required to produce an annual report, which will be tabled in Parliament.
The Authority is bound by the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 and the Public Service Act 1999.
Intent
This is the Climate Change Authority’s first corporate plan.
The Climate Change Authority Corporate Plan 2013–15 is a rolling three year plan, which will be updated annually. This approach will ensure that specific plans, measures and budgets are designed to meet the commitments for year one of each plan, with indicative planning for years two and three.
The intent of this plan is to assist the Authority to meet its obligations and functions having regard to its:
- vision, mission and strategic intent;
- stated deliverables, goals and measures for 2013/14;
- values and behaviours; and
- intentions for 2014/15 and beyond.
Climate Change Authority Vision
The Authority’s vision is to provide: Rigorous, independent advice on climate change policies to improve the quality of life for all Australians.
Climate Change Authority Mission
The Climate Change Authority seeks to deliver influential, independent, expert advice by:
- engaging stakeholders to gather information and debate policy options;
- undertaking extensive and rigorous research and analysis;
- presenting insightful, transparent and practical reports;
- operating within a strong governance and accountability framework.
Strategy
The Authority has identified the following key strategic elements that must be satisfied in order to deliver on its mission.
Independence
The Authority is an independent statutory authority. To build and maintain credibility as the provider of rigorous policy analysis and recommendations on future directions, it needs to demonstrate independence in thinking and action.
Engaging Stakeholders
To ensure that its work takes account of all available inputs, the Authority is committed to stakeholder engagement. To this end the Authority needs to identify all stakeholders and provide real opportunities for stakeholders to engage.
The Authority is determined to maintain transparency in all of its activities; an active public engagement program will support this. The Authority will consult with the public on every review, consistent with the requirements of its legislation.
Research and Analysis
Thorough research and analysis is built on detailed planning and applying highly skilled resources to the task. The Authority has built a skilled workforce with a broad range of experience, and established links to relevant expert local and international organisations.
Reporting and Transparency
The Authority has an obligation to produce reports under the Act. Those reports are a result of reviewing, analysing and synthesising existing materials, engaging stakeholders, and undertaking new research to generate original reporting, analysis and advice and to do so in a transparent way.
Through its independence and extensive engagement of stakeholders, and its organisational capabilities, the Authority has in place the foundations required to meet its reporting obligations. It seeks to provide high quality, independent advice in a format that is accessible to the reader, practical for decision makers and delivered on time and on budget.
Governance and Accountability
Good governance is an essential element of all successful organisations. The Authority is subject to the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 and the Public Service Act 1999, and has specific additional governance requirements under its own Act.
The Authority is committed to the highest standard of accountability and governance.
Values and Behaviours
The Authority is committed to creating an operating environment, both internally and with all of its stakeholders, in which:
Quality and excellence are a primary goal
The credibility of the Authority will be built on the quality of its research, analysis and reporting, its ability to meet commitments and milestones, and its overall systems of governance and accountability.
Ideas and inputs are treated with respect
New and divergent ideas and thoughts contribute to healthy debate. The Authority is committed to respecting all people’s contributions to the Authority meeting its vision and mission.
Learning comes from interaction
The Authority is committed to learning as an organisation, and understands that this can only be achieved from positive engagement and interaction with a broad, diverse and ever growing range of stakeholders and contributors.
Sharing information creates knowledge
Real knowledge results from ensuring that all of the learning and knowledge gained, both process and output, is then shared.
Staff are provided an opportunity to develop and grow
Staff are the most valued resource in the Authority. For the Authority to develop and succeed, the staff must also develop. The Authority is committed to providing all staff with the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge through formal and informal training and development opportunities.
At all times, Authority staff will abide by the APS Values through their practical application on a day to day basis.
Impartial
APS Code of conduct
The APS is apolitical and provides the government with advice that is frank, honest, timely and based on the best available evidence.
Application within the Authority
The Authority seeks to build and maintain a reputation for independence and credibility by being professional and transparent in all of its actions and decisions. It will pursue the highest standards in research, analysis and reporting. Authority staff will be open to, and appropriately consider, new and divergent ideas.
Committed to Service
APS Code of conduct
The APS is professional, objective and efficient, and works collaboratively to achieve the best results for the Australian community and the Government.
Application within the Authority
The Authority will conduct its analysis in a rigorous, comprehensive, thorough and diligent way, minimising the risk for errors, omissions inconsistencies or bias. The Authority will provide its staff with the skills and knowledge to achieve the best results.
Accountable
Accountable
The APS is open and accountable to the Australian community under the law and within the framework of ministerial responsibility.
Application within the Authority
The Authority is committed to a governance framework which will ensure that it manages its affairs in an efficient, effective and ethical manner. The Authority will operate transparently at all times.
Respectful
APS Code of conduct
The APS respects all people, including their rights and their heritage.
Application within the Authority
The Authority will act with fairness, equity and social justice by acknowledging and acting in accordance with the principles of human rights. The Authority is committed to a diverse and harassment free workplace where all people’s contributions are valued and respected.
Ethical
APS Code of conduct
The APS demonstrates leadership, is trustworthy, and acts with integrity in all that it does.
Application within the Authority
Authority staff will act honestly at all times in their dealings within, and external to, the Authority.
Outputs 2013/14 and beyond
Legislated Reporting Obligations
The Authority has a number of on-going reporting obligations under the Act. These are listed below:
Climate Change Authority Review Obligations
2013/14
28 February 2014: First review of progress towards national targets and budget
28 February 2014: Recommendations of pollution caps for 2015/16 to 2019/20, national trajectory and carbon budgets
2014/15
28 February 2014: Annual review – progress towards targets and budget
31 December 2014: Second Renewable Energy target review
2015/16
28 February 2016: Annual review – progress towards targets and budget
28 February 2016: First annual recommendations on pollution caps
Other planned activities for 2013-14
In addition to the specific reporting obligations listed above, the Act permits the Authority to undertake research on matters relating to climate change which are consistent with its functions under the Act. In 2013/14 the Authority proposes to:
- review its ongoing research capability and requirements consistent with its role and obligations;
- continue to invest in developing staff capabilities in line with its research priorities;
- issue a rolling three-year corporate plan in July; and
- provide an Annual Report to the Minister for presentation to the Parliament in October.
Climate Change Authority
Level 10 / 90 Collins Street / Melbourne
GPO Box 194 / Melbourne VIC 3001
Freecall 1800 475 869
Email: enquiries@climatechangeauthority.gov.au
ISBN: 978-0-9873828-3-2