Climate Change in Queensland
Tackling climate change is a long term issue. Australia and the rest of the world need to start to control our greenhouse gas emissions now. Otherwise, we face real threats to our economy, community, natural environment and lifestyles.
The Queensland Government is taking action on a number of fronts to reduce the state's carbon footprint and prepare for the impacts of climate change, including through its climate change strategy, ClimateQ: toward a greener Queensland and its blueprint for the future, Tomorrow's Queensland: Toward Q2.
Queensland's climate change strategy
In August 2009, the Queensland Government released ClimateQ: toward a greener Queensland, to expand and strengthen Queensland's climate change response.
ClimateQ represents $196 million in investments and policies designed to address Queensland's particular vulnerabilities to climate change, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in key sectors of the Queensland economy.
ClimateQ consolidates and updates the approaches taken in ClimateSmart 2050 and ClimateSmart Adaptation 2007-12, drawing on the latest national and international science and policy.
ClimateQ's 39 initiatives are designed to:
- lower the cost to households and businesses of becoming cleaner and greener
- support emerging technologies and industries that will help Queensland transition to a carbon-constrained economy
- protect and replenish Queensland's natural wonders that are vital to the productive future of key industries such as agriculture and tourism
- prioritise practical adaptation solutions, research and information to help communities adapt and respond to the impacts of climate change.
ClimateSmart Home Service
Knock down your power bills with a ClimateSmart Home Service!
For just $50 you will receive advice and products on how to reduce your carbon footprint and electricity bill.
Do the bright thing
Do the bright thing and find out about the Queensland Government support available to help you take advantage of solar energy in Queensland.
1 Million Women campaign
The Queensland Government is a proud sponsor of the "1 Million Women" campaign, which aims to prevent one million tonnes of CO2 pollution from entering the atmosphere.
The Premier Anna Bligh and the Minister for Environment and Resource Management are both ambassadors to this campaign.
Register online today at www.1millionwomen.com.au and cut 1 tonne of CO2 by committing to undertaking some small changes to everyday lifestyle actions.
Reverse the Effect
Through Reverse the Effect, Queensland motorists can get involved by making a tax deductible donation against their vehicles' estimated emissions.
The types of vehicles that can be donated against include:
- mopeds
- motorbikes
- various size cars
- hybrid cars
- light commercial vehicles
- rigid trucks.
The Queensland Government will match motorists' contributions, dollar-for-dollar.
Donations will go towards tree planting projects in Queensland that help to capture and store carbon from the atmosphere, minimise the impact of climate change and expand Queensland's protected natural areas.
For more information on the initiative or to help balance your vehicles' emissions today, visit www.reversetheeffect.com.au.
Queensland's strategic partnership with Clinton Foundation
Premier of Queensland, Anna Bligh, and Ira C. Magaziner, Chairman of the Clinton Climate Foundation, sign the Memorandum of Understanding.
In June 2008, Premier Anna Bligh announced a strategic partnership with the William J. Clinton Climate Initiative to help Queensland reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. The partnership focuses on:
- driving energy efficiency in cities and new developments
- exploring potential for large scale solar thermal power generation
- new ways of financing the roll out of low emissions technology.
The partnership was formalised through the signing of an Memorandum of Understanding by the Premier and the visiting Chairman of the Clinton Foundation, Mr Ira C. Magaziner.
