AMCS encouraged by Queensland’s new energy plan

Australian Marine Conservation Society is encouraged by the Queensland Government’s new energy plan, which is a significant step forward in tackling the climate crisis.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced Queensland would increase its renewable energy target to 70% by 2032, reach an 80% target for 2035 and plan to attract $62 billion in public and private investment in green energy over the next 13 years.

The plan also includes 22GW of new wind and solar, 11.5GW of rooftop solar, 9GW of battery storage (mostly household and business) and two massive new pumped hydro projects totalling 7GW and 24 hours storage.

AMCS Great Barrier Reef campaign manager Dr Lissa Schindler said the energy plan is an important step for the State, which currently contributes a third of its carbon emissions to the energy sector.

Dr Schindler notes “as Reef custodians, and with over 60,000 Queenslanders employed in Reef related roles, it is vital Queensland plays a leading role in lowering the emissions that cause the marine heatwaves that have damaged the Reef in recent years.

“Unless we stop digging up and burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas, climate impacts on our Reef are only going to worsen, and that is deeply concerning for our tourism industry here in Queensland.

“The best way to tackle the climate crisis is to rapidly cut emissions by steering Queensland’s energy mix away from coal and over to renewables. This will not only create more jobs and lead to cheaper energy bills but will help protect the Reef.

“This is a great step but Queensland still remains at the back of the pack in terms of commitments to reducing its carbon emissions target, which is currently 30% by 2030 based on 2005 levels.

“The Queensland and Australian governments need to align their emissions reductions with no more than 1.5 degrees of warming. Scientists say this is a key threshold for our incredible Reef, and we need to get on with the job of achieving this.”