A note from the Minister

Download the Climate Action 21 Report Card 2021 (PDF 5MB).

2021 marks the conclusion of Tasmania’s climate change action plan, Climate Action 21. It also marks the beginning of my second term as both Premier and Minister for Climate Change.

I am proud to lead a Government that is committed to taking action on climate change. Tasmania was the first Australian jurisdiction to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions, and we have maintained that achievement for the past five years. Our emissions have declined by 108.6 per cent since 1990 levels, and we have the lowest per capita emissions in the country and some of the lowest in the world.

While the past year has been one of significant upheaval as we continue to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the need to also respond to the challenges and opportunities of climate change remains as important as ever.

This is the fourth and final Report Card on the progress of the 37 actions in Climate Action 21. Through Climate Action 21 we have delivered significant achievements, including:

• investing over $600,000 to deliver a statewide electric vehicle destination and fast charging network;
• supported sixteen priority research projects leveraging a total research investment of $1.4 million;
• twelve workshops around the State to support over 130 financial counsellors to better assist vulnerable clients to manage their energy use and power bills;
• supported government and heavy vehicle fleets to improve fleet efficiency and prepare for electric vehicle uptake;
• implemented a whole-of-government energy and greenhouse gas emissions monitoring software system;
• conducted energy efficiency audits for 28 Tasmanian small- and medium-sized businesses through the Power$mart Businesses program;
• held three Tasmanian Climate Symposiums, bringing together representatives from business, government and the scientific community;
• supported 11 businesses to improve productivity and resource efficiency through the Business Resource Efficiency Program; and
• provided nearly $200,000 to partner with organisations on local climate change initiatives, including two Tasmanian Youth Climate Leaders Conferences; the Curious Climate Tasmania project; an autonomous electric bus trial; electric vehicle ‘try and drive’ events; e-bike expos; Food and Waste Solution Hub event; Regenerative Agriculture Network of Tasmania Conference; Climate Justice Conference; and the Australasian Coasts and Ports Conference.

In addition, recent climate change commitments made by my Government include a commitment to transition the Government fleet to electric vehicles by 2030; measures to support the uptake of electric vehicles, including a two-year stamp duty waiver and more charging infrastructure; a new $30 million Tasmanian Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme for households; and initiatives to support industries to reduce emissions, including supporting the tourism industry’s goal to become a Carbon Neutral Destination by 2025.

As I committed early last year, the review of Tasmania’s climate change legislation and target is currently underway, and we are developing Tasmania’s next whole-of-government climate change action plan. This included significant consultation with industry, businesses, government and the community in early 2021, and I would like to thank everyone who took part.

The next action plan will build on the themes of Climate Action 21, focusing on information and knowledge; transition and innovation; and adaptation and resilience, and will be released in coming months.

The Hon Peter Gutwein MP

Premier

Minister for Climate Change

Next: Introduction