A note from the Minister (2019)

The Tasmanian Government recognises climate change as a serious issue requiring local, national and international action.

Tasmania is a leader in responding to climate change, especially in the areas of renewable energy, and climate science and research.

It has been two years since the release of Climate Action 21: Tasmania’s Climate Change Action Plan 2017-2021 (Climate Action 21), which sets the Tasmanian Government’s agenda for action on climate change. Climate Action 21 reflects the Government’s commitment to addressing climate change and outlines how Tasmania is playing its role in the response to this global issue.

The Tasmanian Government has committed to strong leadership and action on climate change in our Second Year Agenda – Building Your Future.

Tasmania is a leader in terms of emissions. The latest greenhouse gas emissions figures for Tasmania confirm we have the lowest per capita greenhouse gas emissions in the country, and our latest inventory shows that for the sixth year in a row we have met our legislated emissions reduction target.. The State’s greenhouse gas emissions have declined by 95 per cent from 1990 levels.

Tasmania is also a leading performer globally. The State’s emissions, at 1.7 tonnes of CO₂-e per person, are well below the global average of nearly 5 tonnes.

However, we can capitalise further on our achievements to reduce the State’s greenhouse gas emissions, as we work towards achieving our commitment to zero net emissions. The Tasmanian Government has committed to making Tasmania renewable energy self-sufficient by 2022. This will require up to 1,000 gigawatt hours of additional renewable energy generation in Tasmania. To meet this target and support the rest of the country to move to a renewable energy future, we are investing significantly in renewable energy, including $30 million for the first stage of Battery of the Nation and $56 million with the Australian Government to move the Marinus Link project forward.

Our target and our investment will further cement Tasmania’s place as the renewable energy battery of the nation, enhance energy security and reduce Tasmania’s greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition, we have steadily built on our achievements since the 2018 release of the first Climate Action 21 Report Card. This year’s highlights include:

• Power$mart Businesses program - providing support to Tasmanian businesses to better understand and reduce their energy use;
• Electric Vehicle ChargeSmart Grants Program – Tasmania is again one of the leaders in this area, awarding over half a million dollars in grant funding to support the installation of 26 fast and destination charging stations in strategic locations across Tasmania in the rollout of a statewide public electric vehicle charging network;
• Climate Change and Health Roundtable - bringing together local, national and international experts to help build resilience to the health challenges of a changing climate;
• Coastal Hazards Management for Existing Settlements and Values project - identifying key issues for existing settlements and values, including holding four information gathering workshops across the State;
• Power$mart Homes – commencing planning a program to help low income Tasmanian households stay warm, save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by providing energy efficiency information, undertaking energy efficiency audits and low cost upgrades;
• Business Resource Efficiency Program - conducting waste audits for participating businesses to help them reduce waste and operating costs, and drive productivity gains;
• Smarter Fleets Program - assisting Tasmanian Government, local government and heavy vehicle fleets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and costs, including preparing for electric vehicle uptake;
• Tasmanian Climate Symposium - bringing together over 60 key decision makers in government and industry, and Tasmanian researchers to network, to share learnings and to work collaboratively to translate climate research into better policy and practice;
• Climate change research - undertaking research to understand the likelihood of a range of extreme weather events and natural hazards overlapping, and to identify options to manage these risks; and
• Climate Resilient Councils program - supporting councils to understand and manage climate-related risks likely to affect their operations and service delivery.

The Hon Peter Gutwein MP

Minister for the Environment, Parks and Heritage