Greens lash carbon law

Tasmania envy of the world over emissions, says Gutwein

THE Gutwein government’s plan to legislate a mandatory net-zero carbon emissions target by 2030 has been described as “cynical greenwashing” by the Greens but welcomed by the state’s peak business body.

The government has set itself a target that it has met every year but one since 2015, Greens Safe Climate spokeswoman Rosalie Woodruff said.

“The zero target by 2030 is a weak target,” she said. “It is a recycling of a position we reached six years ago. “The Premier is really saying that he and his government are going to sit on their hands for the next nine years and rest on the laurels of the Tasmanian Forest Agreement and the massive carbon stores that we have in our forests that got us to net zero already.

“It’s very clear that if we want to be credible national leaders on climate action, we have to do what other states are talking about, we need to be setting sectoral targets for the industries that have been growing emissions steadily since 1990 in Tasmania.

“We’ve got energy, transport, agriculture, industrial processes; emissions are going up; we’ve got clear felling of native forest going up.”

Thousands of school students across the nation are expected to take part in a School Strike for Climate this Friday to highlight the issue ahead of the Glasgow climate summit.

Labor leader Rebecca White shared the Greens’ scepticism.

“The government’s announcement to set a target by 2030 to achieve net zero is a bit like saying you are going to hand in your homework seven years after you’ve actually achieved your outcome,” she said.

Premier Peter Gutwein strongly rejected the criticism.

“Tasmania is an international leader,” he said. “We have an emissions profile that is the envy of the word ... and yet the Greens can’t accept that.”

Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief Michael Bailey welcomed the plan.

“We know Tasmanian business will benefit from this policy, we know there’s a distinct market advantage to businesses across the state,” he said.

“What we’re very keen to do is help all businesses across Tasmania take advantage of what is a real market advantage of this position.” Environment and Climate Minister Change Roger Jaensch said legislating the target cemented the state’s natural advantage in law.

“If we don’t take action now, we will lose that precious net-zero status that we’ve already got,” he said.

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the announcement was a great opportunity to address the issue on a local level as well.

“I’m supportive and excited by the opportunities for Hobart in being a leader on climate change action and zero-carbon solutions,” she said.