Climate Change Reference Group - Meeting Summary 3

The third meeting of the Tasmanian Government Climate Change Reference Group was held on Tuesday 20 August 2024.

Membership and attendance

The meeting was co-Chaired by the Minister for Energy and Renewables, the Hon Nick Duigan MLC, and a delegate from the Premier’s Youth Advisory Council (PYAC).

In addition to PYAC, the Reference Group includes representatives from:

Australian Medical Association
Climate Tasmania
Local Government Association of Tasmania
Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania
Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
TasFarmers
Tasmanian Forest Products Association
Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council
Unions Tasmania
UTAS Tasmanian Policy Exchange.

The representative from Unions Tasmania was an apology for the meeting.

1. Welcome

The co-Chairs began by welcoming members to the Reference Group’s third meeting. The Minister thanked members for extending their membership terms.

2. Tasmania’s Climate Change Action Plan 2023-25 updates

An update was provided on Tasmania’s Climate Change Action Plan 2023-25.

Programs under the Action Plan that commenced in the first half of 2024 include an e-transport support package, community climate change action grants, the ‘Stems for CO2’ program, and a trial of low emissions feed for livestock.

Other initiatives under the Action Plan are continuing, in line with the implementation plan for the Action Plan which was released in October 2023.

a. Statewide Climate Change Risk Assessment

An update was provided on the Statewide Climate Change Risk Assessment, which is due for completion in November 2024.

b. Independent Review of the Act

An update was provided on preparations for the Independent Review of the Climate Change (State Action) Act 2008, which is scheduled to begin in late 2024.

It is a requirement under the Act that an independent review is held every four years.

c. Tasmanian Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report 2024

The Tasmanian Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report 2024 was released in early August 2024.

Tasmania first achieved net zero emissions in 2014 and has maintained this status in the years since. No other Australian jurisdiction has achieved net zero to date.

The Report provides a breakdown of Tasmanian emissions sources and sinks, and an analysis of emissions in the Tasmanian context.

3. Sector based Emissions Reduction and Resilience Plans

An overview of the progress of the Emissions Reduction and Resilience Plans, ahead of the expected release of four of the sector Plans for public consultation: energy, industrial processes and product use, agriculture, and land use, land use change and forestry was provided.

Reference Group members were encouraged to provide feedback during the public consultation period.

4. General discussion and updates from the Reference Group

The Reference Group discussed issues of concern and the action being undertaken in various sectors and groups. A number of matters were noted for discussion at future meetings.

5. Ongoing role and function of the Reference Group

The Reference Group discussed options for the ongoing operation of the Reference Group, following the extension of members’ terms. Several items were noted for consideration.