Peter Gutwein,Premier & Minister for Climate Change
Tasmania’s latest greenhouse gas emissions profile confirms our position as a world leader in mitigating climate change.
The latest State and Territory Greenhouse Gas Inventories shows we have hit our target of net zero emissions by 2050 for the fourth year in a row.
The data also shows that in 2018, Tasmania emitted negative 2.19 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents – 111 per cent lower than our 1990 baseline emissions of 20.10 megatonnes.
Not only were we the first jurisdiction in Australia to achieve net zero emissions in 2015, but importantly the emissions intensity of our economy is trending downwards, even as we continue to grow our economy and jobs.
This globally significant achievement highlights our enviable renewable energy profile and our unique opportunity to lead Australia’s transition to a low-emissions economy, attract more investment and create more local jobs. Renewable energy and clean hydrogen projects will be vital growth areas in our economic recovery.
Given our strong emissions performance, it is important we are able to maintain this momentum.
Which is why in coming months we will strengthen our legislative framework, develop and consult on our next whole-of-government climate change action plan, and review future emissions to determine if we can set an even more ambitious target, driving investment and job creation.
Climate Change is a significant issue and one that this Government takes seriously. It brings challenges but also enormous opportunities for our state and our economy.
As we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, our plan will stimulate even more investment, and will create even more opportunities for Tasmanians, both now and the future.
