Climate change strategies

The launch of Queensland's revised climate change strategy, ClimateQ: toward a greener Queensland, marks the completion of an extensive policy review and public consultation process over the past 12 months.

This strategy consolidates and updates the policy approach outlined in ClimateSmart 2050 and Queensland's ClimateSmart Adaptation Plan 2007-12, taking into account the latest national and international science and policy.

The review’s Terms of Reference are available. (PDF, 32KB)*

An Issues Paper – Review of the Queensland Government climate change strategy was released in September 2008 for public consultation. Over 70 submissions were received from the community and stakeholders on the major issues facing Queensland’s sectors. All public comments received have helped to shape measures under the revised strategy.

Queensland’s climate change strategy, ClimateSmart 2050, was launched in June 2007 and outlines a comprehensive suite of initiatives covering the community, energy, transport, primary industries, industry, planning and building sectors. It represents a total initial investment of $1.4 billion, including $844 million by the Queensland Government.

The strategy includes a mix of short, medium and long term measures to reduce Queensland’s greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to the national emissions reduction target of 60 per cent below 2000 levels by 2050.

ClimateSmart 2050 was developed to deliver the next steps in Queensland’s climate change response. It covers all sectors of the Queensland economy and includes:

The strategy includes the ClimateSmart Adaptation 2007-12 action plan which aims to build Queensland's resilience to climate change.

ClimateSmart 2050 initiatives include:

• Establishment of the $430 million Queensland Climate Change Fund to provide approximately $30 million each year to support new climate change initiatives, such as the ClimateSmart Home Service and the Big Light Switch Campaign.

• Commencement of carbon capture and storage demonstration projects, such as ZeroGen and Oxyfuel, using the $300 million contribution by the Queensland Government and $600 million from the state’s coal industry.
• Funding projects from the $50 million Renewable Energy Fund including the Geothermal Centre of Excellence and solar thermal power plant near Cloncurry.
• Establishment of the $50 million Smart Energy Savings Program to assist Queensland small-to-medium businesses improve energy efficiency in buildings and industrial processes.
• Establishment of the Solar Bonus Scheme - a feed-in tariff for solar power to reward households with solar systems who put power into the electricity grid.
• Regulating an increase to the percentage of Queensland’s energy generation being produced by gas under the Gas Scheme from the current 13 per cent to 15 per cent by 2010, with a commitment to increase it to 18 per cent by 2020.
• Regulating the requirement of large businesses to undertake energy efficiency audits, prepare energy efficiency plans and report on implementation.
• Rollout of the $2.5 million state-wide ClimateSmart Living phase one awareness program (the predecessor to the Low Carbon Diet campaign), which encouraged residents to take practical steps to reduce their carbon footprint. 

Achievements to date

A full progress report on initiatives in ClimateSmart 2050 are available here.

ClimateSmart Adaptation 2007-12 Action Plan lays the foundation for climate change adaptation in Queensland by improving our understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change.

The five year plan aims to build Queensland’s resilience to climate change and includes 62 actions in the areas of water planning and services, agriculture, human settlements, natural environment and landscapes, emergency services and human health and tourism, business and industry.

The plan focuses on increasing our understanding about the impacts of climate change and building skills to manage those impacts. It:

• confirms the Queensland Government’s commitment to dealing with the issue of climate change, and provides direction for managing its impacts
• raises awareness about the effects of climate change and provides advice and guidance on including it in decision making
• integrates the latest climate change science research and projections into policy responses and adaptation actions ‘on the ground’
• aims to build an understanding about the risks to Queensland’s regions and sectors from climate change
• practical actions for government and businesses to consider the potential effects of climate change when they make decisions
• aligns with national initiatives for climate change adaptation.

Achievements to date

A full progress report on initiatives in ClimateSmart Adaptation 2007-12 Action Plan are available here.

Significant progress has been made already on the five year action plan with 33 of the plan's actions already completed or incorporated into core business and 29 underway. Key achievements from the action plan include:

• integrating climate change responses into regional plans developed across the state, including the current review of the SEQ Regional Plan
• ensuring the latest science on sea level rise and coastal risks informs the review of the State Coastal Management Plan
• integrating the latest climate change science into Regional Water Supply Strategies under preparation
• delivering a suite of climate change workshops for the tourism and agriculture industries
• developing a climate change website to provide the latest information on climate change science and policy
• allocating 14 PhDs under the Smart State PhD program to climate change research projects
• developing a risk assessment tool to assist beef producers assess their risks from climate change and to develop effective adaptation options to manage the impacts.