The Fifth Estate has deep understanding of emissions trading and carbon markets and their implications on businesses.

The Fifth Estate has: observed first-hand the operation of emissions trading policies in Europe and elsewhere, provided policy input into the emerging Australian schemes. The world's new carbon-consciousness has brought challenges and opportunities to business.

Project approvals for energy plants can be complex, particularly in relation to emissions permitting and fuel characterisation. We have:

• assisted clients to strategise, scope and implement clean energy projects in several Australian States.
• applied the combined expertise of our team to energy development areas such as:
  • biofuels and waste utilisation,
  • boiler technology and selection,
  • financing, and
  • regulatory approvals.

It is imperative for business to understand the myriad government policies, and their market based instruments governing emissions trading, renewable energy certificates and energy efficiency.

The Fifth Estate is active in advocacy for modern renewable energy and energy efficiency policies and State and Federal Government level.

New government funds are also available for climate-related investments, which require specific knowledge of government processes to optimise.

The Fifth Estate assists clients to:

• assess their current business's strengths and weaknesses,
• apply a deep understanding of climate change policies to ascertain applicability, threats, including costs, and opportunities,
• negotiate with government and regulators to avoid unintended consequences of proposed Australian schemes, and
• develop whole-of-business strategies to ensure continued robustness in a carbon constrained future.