Bowen’s Climate Change department flips stance on veiled climate brief, as it faces mounting pressure to release the key document

Chris Bowen’s climate change department is considering caving to pressure from across the political spectrum, after refusing to release a key climate brief to the public.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) has repeatedly refused to turn over the first volume of an incoming government brief, written for the information of the minister.

The public and politicians have sought access to the brief through key governmental transparency pillars in the Freedom of Information (FOI) act and the Senate's Order for the Production of Documents (OPD) powers.

DCCEEW has released just Volume Two of the briefs prepared following the May 3 election.

It largely pertains to departmental structure and staffing.

Volume One, however, is likely to contain information