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Environment

Our approach to the environment

As we bring forward the closure of our coal-fired power stations, with an ambition to build 12 GW of new renewable and firming capacity by the end of 2035, we’re committed to operating responsibly and reducing our environmental impact.

Minimising our impact and ensuring resource efficiency

We take our environmental responsibilities seriously and recognise the high expectations of our stakeholders, in relation to how we operate our assets and the role we play in Australia’s decarbonisation journey.

We recognise our stakeholders expect us to have strong and responsible transition plans that will lead AGL towards a net zero future, accompanied by measurable targets and reporting.

As we contribute to Australia’s decarbonisation through the responsible closure of our coal-fired power stations over time, we face significant rehabilitation obligations, which we undertake through various transition activities with careful monitoring and transparency.

Future low-carbon world

As Australia’s largest corporate emitter of greenhouse gases, the actions we take to reduce emissions will have a material impact on the country’s emissions profile.

The transition of our energy portfolio from one dominated by baseload thermal generation to a portfolio of renewable generation and firming represents a substantial contribution to the decarbonisation of Australia’s economy.

Climate Transition Action Plan (CTAP)

In September 2022, we published our inaugural Climate Transition Action Plan (CTAP), which documents our climate commitments, targets and ambitions, and recognises the need to balance responsible transition and rapid decarbonisation to keep Australia's electricity supply secure, reliable, and affordable.

 

Our CTAP commitments include accelerated coal closure timeframes and emissions reduction targets, and ambitious renewable and firming portfolio targets.

Download our Climate Transition Action Plan (PDF)

Environmental stewardship

We’re committed to operating responsibly. Our plans are designed to reduce our environmental impact and continuously improve our environmental management practices and performance.
 

At AGL, we apply a risk-based approach to environmental management which is driven and influenced by AGL's Health, Safety and Environment Policy. The AGL Health, Safety and Environment Management System (HSEMS) sets out how we will implement the Health, Safety and Environment Policy. Our environmental management process and practices align with the requirements of the Environmental Management System Standard (ISO 14001:2015). 

Environmental monitoring 

The environmental aspects we monitor are land, surface water and groundwater, air emissions and greenhouse gas emissions, noise emissions, waste, cultural heritage and biodiversity. Our Biodiversity Policy (PDF) sets out our vision to minimise direct impacts on biodiversity in the areas where we operate and promote sustainable practices that protect and enhance the diversity of land and animal species and their habitats. 

For information on our environmental monitoring, see our monitoring and reporting data.

Some AGL sites may also have their own environmental procedures. Learn more about each site on our Operations page.

Responsible rehabilitation

The safe and respectful closure of our ageing generation assets is essential in achieving AGL’s decarbonisation commitments. In addition, the necessary decommissioning, demolition and rehabilitation of these sites creates a pathway to deliver our integrated energy hub strategy. 

Our energy hubs at Loy Yang, Torrens Island and in the Hunter will bring together renewable energy production and storage with energy-intensive industries, centred around a shared infrastructure backbone. Learn about the Hunter Energy Hub


Learn more about how we’re planning now to achieve a safe, stable and sustainable future for the site of our Loy Yang mine after closure.

Our stories

What it takes to dismantle a gas plant

Our former Camden Gas Project – Rosalind Park Gas Plant was safely decommissioned from September to December 2023 and prepared for a new life after AGL. This process included: 

  • The gas plant being depressured and purged of gas 

  • The gas plant being isolated from sources of energy and drained and cleaned of oils 

  • 360-degree photos, isometrics and surveys of the original installation being completed 

  • Every piece of equipment tagged with a QR code for future reassembly 

  • Identifying laydown areas to store dismantled equipment and parts  

  • Making plans for transportation and lifting of equipment, to ensure we had the right resources in place to complete the work safely.

A third-party operator acquired the gas plant which included two compressors, a slug catcher, filter separators, TEG gas dehydration unit, water treatment, all pipework and 80 cable drums. This equipment was loaded onto 51 trucks from Camden before making its final journey to the Northern Territory. 

Camden Gas Project, with sites spanning across Campbelltown, Camden and Wollondilly council, continues towards rehabilitation and sign off with the regulators and landowners.

Environmental data

Find environmental performance data in the ESG Data Centre.

ESG Data Centre

Our environment policies