Heat on Queensland to Deliver Climate Action
11 August 2021: Heat on Queensland to Deliver Climate Action
The Queensland government’s recently released Climate Action Plan falls well short of the urgent action called for in the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
The IPCC report warns global warming of 1.5°C and 2°C will be exceeded during this century unless deep emission reductions occur in the coming decades. Based on this new information, the Climate Council has concluded that Australia should reduce its emissions by 75% below 2005 levels by 2030, and achieve net zero emissions by 2035.
“Brisbane is set to hold the world’s first climate positive Olympics in 2032, but so far Queensland is falling behind in the race to cut emissions,” said Stephanie Gray, Energy Strategist at Solar Citizens.
“The Morrison government is failing to deliver a responsible plan for minimising the worst impacts of climate change, so Queenslanders have to depend on the State government to step up and fill the federal policy vacuum.
“Releasing the Climate Action Plan website was a good first step, but much more heavy lifting has to be done, particularly in the energy sector.
“Burning fossil fuels like coal is the biggest source of climate pollution but the government has no plans to retire their six state-owned coal stations early, which will make achieving emission reduction targets an uphill battle.”
The Queensland government has committed to zero net emissions by 2050 and an interim target to reduce emissions by 30% below 2005 levels by 2030. Two coal stations in Queensland are slated for as long as 2051, including state-owned Callide C.
In the Queensland Climate Transition Strategy released in 2017, one of the key actions outlined was ‘demonstrate leadership by reducing emissions from Queensland Government operations’, and yet the State government owns two of the biggest polluters in Australia: CS Energy and Stanwell Corporation.
“The energy sector is by far the biggest polluter in Queensland, accounting for about 40% of emissions. We simply can’t be serious about climate action without planning for early coal retirements,” said Ms Gray.
“When the world’s spotlight falls on Queensland in 2032 we want to show off our incredible natural assets like the Great Barrier Reef and the best way to do that is becoming leaders on climate action.”
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Media contact: Stephanie Gray 0425543006
See how Queensland is progressing on emissions reductions targets here: https://www.des.qld.gov.au/climateaction/emissions-targets
