Responses to climate change
As part of a global trend, Queensland's climate is changing. The state has become hotter and drier, particularly since 1950. Science suggests that this trend will continue, and we can expect the climate to become more variable and extreme, with more frequent droughts, heatwaves and heavy rainfall, because there are already elevated levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The Queensland Government is taking action to mitigate and adapt to these changes in our climate.
Office of Climate Change
The Office of Climate Change in the Queensland Government portfolio of Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation leads the development of a whole-of-government policy framework to meet the climate change challenge. The office comprises specific climate change policy functions and the expertise of the Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence.
Premier's Council on Climate Change
The Premier's Council on Climate Change, established in December 2007, is a 16 person advisory Council established to provide the Queensland Government with high-level, strategic advice on climate change issues and actions.
ClimateSmart 2050 Review
The Queensland Government is reviewing ClimateSmart 2050. The Review will build on the suite of greenhouse gas reduction measures contained in the original ClimateSmart strategy, and will outline additional measures across all sectors of the economy to contribute to achieving the national target of a 60 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions below 2000 levels by 2050.
Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence
The Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence (QCCCE) is a specialist whole-of-government unit based within the Office of Climate Change. The Centre provides decision makers throughout Queensland with information and scientific data on climate change and its impact on the community, the economy and the environment. Read more about the QCCCE.
ClimateSmart Adaptation 2007–12
One of the Office of Climate Change’s main projects is to implement the actions of ClimateSmart Adaptation 2007–12, which is the government's action plan for building Queensland's resilience to climate change. The aim of the plan is to minimise these impacts by anticipating their occurrence and adapting to their consequences. Read more about ClimateSmart Adaptation 2007–12.
Queensland – China Climate Change Fellowships
Through the Queensland – China Climate Change Fellowship Program, Queensland and Chinese researchers and other professionals will be able to participate in short-term reciprocal exchanges to explore climate change issues.
How you can make a difference
Dealing with the impacts of climate change is not just a problem for the government. All Queenslanders can play a role in managing its impacts by making small but significant changes to lifestyle, water-saving practices and energy usage. Read more about how you can make a difference.
Last updated 24 April 2008.
