Medium and long term climate target brings Queensland into line with other states, but strategy fails to set clear KPI's, phase out coal and gas, and allocate dollars for implementation.
ACF has cautiously welcomed the Palaszczuk Government’s climate transition strategy, Pathways to a Clean Growth Economy, but wants to see stronger commitments to reduce pollution before the state election.
“The adoption of a zero climate pollution target by 2050 brings Queensland in line with other states such as South Australia and Victoria, who are leading on shifting from dirty to clean energy in the wake of the federal government’s shambolic approach,” said ACF’s Climate and Energy Program Manager, Gavan McFadzean.
“The strategy sets a solid foundation for reducing pollution across government and the state’s economy, including transport, building and construction, government decision-making and procurement, which is excellent, but it’s light in detail on how deep cuts in pollution will be delivered and by when.
“The strategy also falls short in key areas – it fails to outline any plan to phase out burning coal and gas in favour of renewables, set clear targets to reduce pollution from various parts of the economy like transport and construction, and allocate real dollars to deliver the plan.
“With the survival of the Great Barrier Reef at stake, the Palaszczuk Government needs to put something real on the table before the upcoming state election if it wants to convince Queenslanders they are serious about cutting climate pollution.
“At the ALP state conference in Townsville, the Palaszczuk Government has the opportunity to take national leadership on climate change while creating jobs, by endorsing a motion by the Labor Environment Action Network (LEAN) to build three gigawatts of renewable energy and battery storage infrastructure over the next decade.
“We urge the Palaszczuk Government to support the motion now supported by one hundred ALP branches across the state as signature climate policy to the upcoming state election."
