Supporting community action

By 2021 we will be:

• Taking action to meet a legislated target of zero net emissions by 2050, with access to relevant information and programs.

The world has committed to keep the global temperature rise to below 2°C. Meeting this challenge is a shared responsibility that will require action from all Tasmanians.

In 2016, the Tasmanian Government commissioned an independent review of the Climate Change (State Action) Act 2008 (the Act). This legislative requirement has been taken into account in preparing Climate Action 21.

One of the key areas for consideration is Tasmania’s legislated emissions reduction target. The Act will be amended to establish a legislated target of zero net emissions by 2050. This aspirational long-term target signals the Tasmanian Government’s commitment to action on climate change and is consistent with the Paris Agreement.

Tasmanian homes typically use more energy than those interstate. While there has been a decline in residential energy consumption in recent years, increasing numbers of Tasmanians are now on Aurora Energy’s hardship program, with most being concession customers.⁶

There are considerable social and liveability benefits in improving household energy efficiency. It not only delivers savings on power bills, but can also improve the comfort, health and wellbeing of residents. For example, draught stopping and insulation makes homes warmer and more comfortable, and can reduce the incidence of respiratory illness.⁷

By informing Tasmanians about the steps they can take to reduce their emissions, and supporting their efforts, we can create a community approach to dealing with climate change.

• The actions for this priority area focus on:
• Supporting households to achieve energy savings and access energy efficient technologies;
• Building community resilience to population health risks in a changing climate; and
• Amending the Act to establish an aspirational emissions reduction target and strengthen the legislative framework for action on climate change.

What does a zero net emissions target mean for Tasmania?

The Tasmanian Government will legislate for a new emissions reduction target of zero net emissions by 2050. This aspirational, long-term target means that by 2050 Tasmania’s emissions will be balanced out by our carbon sinks.

This target is consistent with the Paris Agreement, which the Australian Government ratified in November 2016.

The Paris Agreement aims to achieve zero net emissions globally in the second half of the century.

Setting a zero net emissions target sends a clear signal of intent to Tasmanian businesses, giving them confidence to invest in low emissions options as we transition to a low-carbon economy.

There are a number of different pathways to meeting this target. The Tasmanian Government is committed to achieving zero net emissions while continuing to grow our economy.  We will identify cost-effective and advantageous solutions to achieve zero net emissions by 2050. We will focus on actions that are complementary to national strategies and initiatives.

⁶ Office of the Tasmanian Economic Regulator 2016, Energy in Tasmania – Performance Report 2014-15.

⁷ Howden-Chapman P, Matheson A, Viggers H, Crane J, Cunningham M, Blakely T, et al, 2007. ‘Retrofitting houses with insulation to reduce health inequalities: results of a clustered, randomised trial in a community setting.’ In British Medical Journal 334:460-464.