No-emissions status hailed

TASMANIA has become the first jurisdiction in Australia to produce zero net emissions, reaching the target more than 30 years ahead of the State Government’s 2050 timeline.

Environment Minister Elise Archer said Tasmania achieved zero net greenhouse gas emissions in 2015-16 — before the 2050 target was announced in August 2017.

The Government explained the achievement was not revealed until now because there is a two-year lag in reporting, due to complex data. Ms Archer said the achievement confirmed Tasmania’s status as a national leader in the ongoing response to climate change.

“This is fantastic news which will further enhance Tasmania’s national reputation for clean energy and complements our goal to make Tasmania renewable energy self-sufficient by 2022,” Ms Archer said.

“Reducing emissions and bringing online more renewable energy will not only reinforce Tasmania’s energy security, it will also create jobs and help deliver more clean energy into the national market.”

In 2015-16 reported emissions declined by 100 per cent from 1989-90 levels, down to -0.01 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Emissions included in the calculations come from energy — which included transport — along with agriculture, waste, industrial processes and forestry. The decline in net emissions coincides with a decline in emissions from the forestry and land use sector.

According to the Department of Premier and Cabinet the majority of Tasmania’s emissions reductions can be attributed to the forest management subsector.

The goal of achieving zero net emissions by 2050 was announced last year as part of the State Government’s climate action plan.

At the time the Tasmanian Greens said the target was meaningless because it would not be legislated and that it was important carbon in Tasmania’s forests was protected by keeping trees in the ground.