Qld sets zero emissions as 2050 target
THE Queensland Government has announced a goal of zero net emissions by 2050.
In Cairns yesterday, Deputy Premier Jackie Trad announced two climate change adaption plans with a total of $27 million in funding and an interim target of at least 30% emissions cut by 2030 compared with 2005.
Ms Trad said the Turnbull government had failed to lead nationally on climate change and so Queensland would make its own plans to meet obligations under the Paris agreement.
Environment Minister Steven Miles said the plans set a vision for the state to protect vital assets such as the Great Barrier Reef.
“A vision where we live in energy efficient homes with solar panels on our roofs and batteries in the garages, where we drive electric vehicles to work, where our children have the skills they need for the clean energy jobs of the future,” he said.
“That’s what this is all about, not pretending this transition will just happen but working right across our economy to attract investment, to drive down emissions, to set clear targets.”
Plans include transitioning local economies, ensuring council planning schemes don’t allow building on floodprone land, building resilient infrastructure to withstand more extreme weather events and expanding climate research.
Dr Miles said he did not envisage household incentives to take up new technologies because they presented their own cost-saving benefits.
The pledge comes ahead of climate talks between state governments and climate change activist and former US vice-president Al Gore in Melbourne tomorrow.
The commitment puts Queensland alongside NSW, Victoria, SA, Tasmania and the ACT, but the Australian Conservation Foundation is cautious in its support.
“It’s light in detail on how deep cuts in pollution will be delivered and by when,” said ACF climate and energy program manager Gavan McFadzean.
“The strategy also falls short in key areas – it fails to outline any plan to phase out burning coal and gas in favour of renewables, set clear targets to reduce pollution from various parts of the economy like transport and construction, and allocate real dollars to deliver the plan.”