Priority action area 1: Working with our biggest emitters

The Tasmanian Government will work more intensively with the State's biggest emitters to better understand their opportunities to reduce emissions and to support their transition to a low carbon economy.

The Tasmanian Wedges Report shows that almost one third of Tasmania's emissions come from a relatively small number of large businesses.  These businesses are an important part of our economy and key employers. It is therefore crucial that the Government works cooperatively with them to:

• better understand their particular opportunities to reduce emissions;
• identify key barriers they face in realising any currently available opportunities; and
• support their ongoing action to improve energy efficiency and reduce direct emissions.

The Tasmanian Wedges Report indicates that most of the biggest emission reduction opportunities for these businesses are longer term solutions (such as new technologies).  If the Tasmanian Government can partner with our major businesses now, we can help ensure that our businesses take up new opportunities as soon as possible. The Government will also consider ways to support their continued uptake of energy efficiency options to help them become as environmentally and economically sustainable as possible.

Priority actions

• Establish a carbon price roundtable
• Develop strategic emission reduction partnerships

Action area updates

Carbon price round table

The Tasmanian Government held an Industry Carbon Price Roundtable with representatives of Tasmania's major industries in November 2011. The Roundtable is a key initiative in the Government's Economic Development Plan and Tasmania's Action Plan to Reduce Emissions.

The implications of a national carbon price were considered at the Roundtable.  Discussions focused on the challenges, risks and opportunities presented by carbon pricing for Tasmania.

The Government welcomed the opportunity to discuss industry sector's views on the impact of recent carbon emission reduction initiatives, including the Australian Government's Clean Energy Future policy, on Tasmanian industries and facilities.

The Government will continue to work with industry on shared goals of reducing carbon emissions, while also supporting the continued competitiveness of Tasmania's major industries.

Additional forums were held for small and medium enterprises and the community sector on 27 June 2012 and 28 November 2012, and a third forum for the agricultural sector is planned for 2013.

Communique from Industry Carbon Price Roundtable participants - 8 November 2011

Strategic emission reduction partnerships

Feedback from the Industry Carbon Price Roundtable on 8 November 2011 indicated that strategic emission partnerships were not a priority at this point. It was agreed that a higher level partnership framework, between the Tasmanian Government and roundtable participants as a group was preferable.

The Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts is progressing a framework agreement, which is based on the Roundtable's agreed objectives.