Climate Change Bill passes Parliament

On 10 November 2022, the Climate Change (State Action) Amendment Bill 2021 passed Parliament. The Bill amends Tasmania’s climate change legislation, the Climate Change (State Action) Act 2008 (the Act).

The Bill sets a new emissions reduction target for Tasmania of net zero greenhouse gas emissions, or lower, from 2030.

Once the Bill becomes law, it will require the government to

• develop a Climate Change Action Plan within one year
• develop sector-based Emissions Reduction and Resilience Plans within two years
• prepare a statewide Climate Change Risk Assessment within two years
• prepare an annual Climate Change Activity Statement
• prepare an annual Greenhouse Gas Report

The Bill strengthens accountability and transparency of the government’s action on climate change by requiring the plans listed above to be tabled in each House of Parliament.

The Bill also strengthens the requirement to consult with the community, particularly children and young people.

The Bill can be viewed at the Parliament of Tasmania website.

The amendments to the legislation were developed in response to:

• the independent review of the Act
• consultation on the independent review of the Act
• consultation on the proposed amendments to the Act