Growing a climate-ready economy

By 2021 we will be:

• Working with businesses to reduce emissions intensity and adopt innovative practices; and
• Supporting businesses to manage climate risks and take advantage of opportunities.

The Australian Government has committed to limiting the nation’s 2030 emissions to between 26 and 28 per cent below 2005 levels. To achieve this target will require concerted effort across all sectors of Australia’s economy.

Tasmania’s greenhouse gas emissions have not changed significantly since 1990, with the exception of the forestry industry. During this time, our economy and population have grown substantially, which demonstrates a decoupling of the historic link between economic activity and emissions growth. The Tasmanian Government supports actions which will continue this trend, without placing additional burdens on the community.

Due to Tasmania’s significant renewable energy resources, we are well placed to capitalise on our low emissions status. Key growth sectors of the Tasmanian economy, such as agriculture and marine resources, have the potential to benefit from changing market preferences through improved access to export markets and increased investment as a result of our low emissions status.

Some key growth sectors of the Tasmanian economy are vulnerable to the projected impacts of a changing climate. Using the Climate Futures for Tasmania analysis, we can provide tailored information to support the agriculture and business sectors minimise their climate risks and make informed decisions.

Tasmania’s temperate maritime climate provides a comparative economic advantage in a changing climate, particularly in industries such as viticulture, aquaculture and dairy farming. Making informed decisions based on our climate science and capitalising early on opportunities will position Tasmania to maximise economic advantages and allow us to support other states and territories that will experience more adverse impacts in a changing climate. Continuing to invest in skills to support workforce development, tailored to the needs of industry sectors and regional communities, will also help us maximise economic advantages and to prepare for a changing climate.

In partnership with the Australian Government, we are investing in excess of $100 million in irrigation infrastructure to progress the delivery of an additional 27,700 megalitres (ML) of reliable water to targeted communities. These projects will be delivered as early as the 2017-18 season, with the last due to come online in time for the 2019-20 season. This builds on the 14 irrigation schemes operated or overseen by Tasmanian Irrigation which deliver over 130,000 ML of irrigation water.

Tasmania’s well-established forestry industry, together with agricultural production, has an opportunity to use residue materials for biomass, including biofuel and bioenergy, which can reduce emissions from the State’s transport and energy sectors. Bioenergy is a mature energy generation technology in Europe and its development in Tasmania provides an opportunity for jobs growth in regional areas as well as reducing the use of fossil fuels.

In addition, the use of locally-sourced wood products can replace the use of more carbon intensive building materials such as concrete and steel to further reduce Tasmania’s emissions. The Tasmanian Government is developing a policy to encourage locally-sourced timber to be used in more Government projects as a result of recent changes to the National Construction Code.

The actions for this priority area focus on:

• Using Tasmania’s low emissions status to attract investment in key growth sectors;
• Developing irrigation schemes to promote greater water surety across Tasmania to underpin agricultural productivity in a changing climate;
• Working with agricultural producers to improve energy efficiency, reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from fertiliser usage and other farming practices, and adapt to a changing climate;
• Supporting investment in skills to prepare for a changing climate;
• Assisting small- and medium-sized businesses to improve resource efficiency, reduce waste and operating costs, and minimise the risks from a changing climate; and
• Developing a coordinated approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the waste management sector.