South Australia strengthens its climate change leadership

Ahead of the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), the South Australian Government is strengthening its position on climate change by moving to update its Climate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Act 2007 and legislate the state's target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

South Australian Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs (who will be attending COP26) said the decision showed that the State Government is fully committed to its targets, and is beyond slogans and rhetoric noting “our current Climate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Act 2007 is outdated, and our ambitious goals are well beyond the targets mentioned in the current act for emissions reduction and renewable energy production.

“Our government has provided hundreds of millions of dollars of investment across our environment and energy portfolios as well as developing our Climate Change Action Plan 2021-2025, which is the most powerful vision for climate action of any South Australian Government in history.

“South Australia has always led the way when it comes to climate change action and renewable energy and I am proud to be able to showcase our achievements on a world stage at COP26.

“Demand for low emissions and climate smart products is growing, and South Australia is well equipped to use our abundance of sun, wind and other natural resources to take full advantage of this growing demand.

Minister Speirs added “South Australia's transformation to a net zero emissions economy and a national and international exporter of clean energy could mean achieving a level of renewable energy that is more than five times the current local grid demand by 2050.

“Addressing climate change has its challenges, but it also can bring significant opportunities for South Australia.

“Our government’s approach recognises this, and we are committed to ensuring that investment and jobs in low emissions and climate resilient business and industry are a key focus of ours.”

Climate change initiatives since March 2018

• Interconnector – underwrite early works

• Home battery scheme - $118 million

• Grid Scale Storage Fund - $50 million

• Electric Vehicle Action Plan $18 million

• Hydrogen Action Plan

• Primary industries carbon transformation projects - $1.5 million (seaweed industry productivity and methane emissions)

• Securing the future of our coastline $61.1 million

• Conserving Private Land conservation $3 million

• Greener Neighbourhoods $8 million

• Shellfish reefs $5.4 million

• Blue carbon $2 million

• Expansion of prescribed burning program - $28.4 million over 4 years + $9 million ongoing

Find out more at environment.sa.gov.au/topics/climate-change/climate-change-action-plan-2021-2025