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New programmes in the automotive sector remain focused on innovation and development of more environmentally friendly products, while the New Car Plan for a Greener Future has assisted the industry to prepare for a low- carbon future and to further orientate to global markets and supply chains

Exports and/or production of certain dairy, grain, horticulture, livestock, and wine/grape commodities remain subject to over 90 different non ad valorem (except for sheep, lamb, deer velvet, and wine) levies. These levies are administered, collected, and distributed by the Department of Agriculture on behalf of primary industries to 19 levy recipient bodies which in turn service 54 industry representative bodies.[19] (...)

[19] Agricultural levies and export charges (requested by industry) are in place to fund research and development, marketing, residue-testing, plant and animal biosecurity programmes and emergency responses for industry (Department of Agriculture online information. Viewed at: http://www.daff.gov.au/agriculture-food/levies/publications; and Department of Agriculture, 2013).

(…) Sectoral policy developments have focused largely on ensuring a sustainable, productive and resilient agricultural base supported with measures on drought-relief, water- and land-management, farm finance and rural research. (...)

Under its Carbon Farming Futures Program (2011-2017), Australia has implemented a Filling the Research Gap, Action on the Ground, Extension and Outreach Program, and related offset incentives.[38] In line with its commitment to repeal the Carbon Tax (sections 3.4.1.3 and 3.4.3.2), the Commonwealth Government has reviewed funding arrangements related to the Carbon Tax, made the necessary adjustments to associated programmes and did not proceed with any new projects under the Carbon Farming Futures programme. Through its Direct Action Plan, the Government will introduce a mix of new policies, including the Emissions Reduction Fund to provide ongoing opportunities for farmers and land-managers to participate in emission reduction projects with a bill on the Emissions Reduction Fund being introduced in June 2014.

[38] The Filling the Research Gap program was to expend $A 47 million on 57 projects in research areas including "reducing methane emissions (from livestock and manure), reducing nitrous oxide emissions (from fertilisers and soils), and increasing soil carbon and improving modelling capability". The Conservation Tillage Refundable Tax Offset is a refundable tax offset that primary producers could claim if they brought a no-till seeder. The Offset was worth 15% of the cost of the no-till seeder. The refundable tax offset was designed to encourage the uptake of conservation tillage practices to reduce emissions, increase soil carbon and improve productivity (Australian Taxation Office online information. Viewed at: https://www.ato.gov.au/Business/Primary-producers/In-detail/Other-rebates---deductions/Conservation-tillage-refundable-tax-offset). Under the Action on the Ground funding programme, farmers and land managers undertake on farm trials of abatement technologies, practices and management strategies to measure and demonstrate how they can reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions of methane and nitrous oxide or increase the sequestration of carbon in soil while maintaining or improving farm productivity. By March 2014, 89 multi-year grants worth up to $A 44.29 million had received funding; these projects were trialling a diverse range of on farm practices and management strategies, on more than 530 properties across the country. By April 2013, 24 projects valued at $A 21.3 million were funded under the Extension and Outreach program supporting sector specific projects, including the livestock, dairy, horticulture, cotton and grains industries (Department of Agriculture online information. Viewed at: http://www.daff.gov.au/about/current-grants; and Productivity Commission, 2013d).

Between 2010 and 2013, Australia initiated six countervailing investigations. As of 30 June 2014 seven definitive countervailing duties were levied on aluminium extrusions, aluminium road wheels, hollow structural sections, aluminium zinc coated steel, zinc coated steel, and hot rolled plate steel from China, as well as biodiesel from the United States.

Innovation Grants, ranging between $A 250,000 and $A 1.5 million, provide tools to implement sustainable practices, reduce farm costs and build productivity through the development and adoption of innovative practices across agriculture, fishing, aquaculture and farm forestry. As of March 2014, 31 projects worth up to $A 21.2 million had received funding.

The majority of Australia's electricity was produced from coal, which accounted for 63.9% (76.3% in 2007/08) of total electricity generation in 2012/13, followed by natural gas (20.5%), and renewable and oil product sources (10.2% (of which hydro and wind account for 7.3 and 2.9 percentage points, respectively)). As a result, carbon dioxide emissions per unit of output are high by international standards. (...)

Mandatory energy consumption labelling requirements affect appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers/dryers, dishwashers, room air conditioners, mains-pressure electric-storage water heaters, and motor vehicle

(…) Australia also takes a strong interest in the OECD's work on the policy implications of global value chains, as well as its ongoing analytical work in areas such as non-tariff measures, regional trade agreements, export credits, environment and trade, trade and development and aid for trade.

Australia's key commercial stocks are managed in accordance with the Commonwealth Fisheries Harvest Strategy Policy and Guidelines which applies an evidence-based, precautionary approach to setting catch levels. Resource Assessment Groups provide advice on the status of fish stocks and the impact of fishing on the marine environment, including recommendations to the AFMA Commission on issues such as: the setting of total allowable catches (TACs); stock rebuilding targets; biological and economic reference points; and risk assessments. AFMA sets the TAC based on estimates of the take by state commercial fishers and recreational anglers as well as other mortality sources. By October 2013, Australian fish stocks were considered in good shape as key wild fish stocks were largely sustainable. Of the 93 Commonwealth managed stocks assessed in 2012, 63 were classified as not overfished (59 in 2009) and 77 stocks are classified as not subject to overfishing (73 in 2009); 9 stocks were classified as overfished (12 in 2009) and 4 stocks as subject to overfishing (10 in 2009). Similarly stocks managed by state and Northern Territory governments appear to be in generally good condition, with the national Status of Key Australian Fish Stocks Report 2012 indicating that most stocks were neither overfished nor subject to overfishing.