The Office of Climate Change
The creation of the Office of Climate Change in October 2007 within the Queensland Government portfolio of Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation has integrated and strengthened Queensland's ability to lead an effective climate change response.
The Office comprises specific climate change policy functions and the expertise of the Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence (QCCCE).
The Office of Climate Change leads the development of a whole-of-government policy framework to meet the climate change challenge. The Office of Climate Change utilises the latest scientific information to provide a rigorous evidence base for new policy initiatives.
The QCCCE provides specific climate science and research to inform Queensland's response to climate change. It provides information and science on climate change impacts, including the application of international research and science to the Queensland context.
QCCCE undertakes research that is leading edge, innovative and most importantly, addresses climate change issues relevant to Queensland. The Centre works collaboratively with Australian and international research agencies, industry and all levels of government.
The Office of Climate Change's priorities include:
- Coordinating the implementation of ClimateSmart 2050, Queensland's climate change strategy;
- Undertaking the ClimateSmart 2050 Review to build on the suite of greenhouse gas reduction measures contained in the original ClimateSmart strategy, and to 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.
- Analysing Queensland's greenhouse gas emissions projections and developing policy recommendations for achieving further cuts to our emissions profile;
- Coordinating the implementation of ClimateSmart Adaptation 2007–12, an action plan for preparing Queensland communities and industries for the impacts of climate change;
- Providing Secretariat support to the Premier's Council on Climate Change. The 16 person advisory Council will ensure Queensland's efforts in addressing climate change were informed by the best available local and national knowledge and experience;
- Administering the $430 million Queensland Climate Change Fund, which will provide approximately $30 million per year for climate change initiatives;
- Queensland's input into Professor Ross Garnaut's analysis of the likely impacts of climate change on Australia's economy, environment and resources, and his assessment of the costs and benefits of various possible policy interventions;
- Being represented on the Council of Australian Government (COAG) Working Group on Climate Change and Water, that has been established to progress climate change initiatives. The role of the working group is to ensure an effective response to climate change and the sustainable water use across Australia; and
- Managing a research project to determine whether cloud seeding is able to increase rainfall in south-east Queensland and its potential to increase water storage in Wivenhoe and Somerset dams.
Last updated 28 April 2008.