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TCCO E-Newsletter
AUGUST 2017
Welcome to the August 2017 edition of the Tasmanian Climate Change Office’s E-newsletter. We’re always interested to hear about your climate change adaptation or emissions reduction projects, events and ideas, so please feel free to send us an email with the details for us to include in future editions or share on Facebook.
Staff changes
It's time for us to say farewell to some of the TCCO team and to introduce you to some of our newest team members.
Farewell
We'd like to say thank you and farewell to Amber Sturges, Merran Ramsay and Sophie Smith.
Amber moves to a new role as Senior Project Officer in the Communities, Sport and Recreation Division of the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPAC). Merran is also moving to another role within DPAC, as Policy Analyst in the Policy Division. Sophie joins the Office of Security and Emergency Management of DPAC for her next graduate rotation.
Our new staff
We are very pleased to welcome four new staff members to the TCCO team.
Leigh Murphy joined TCCO in April, as Administration and Project Support Officer, and will be part of the team for nine months. Leigh was previously with the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership in Melbourne. Leigh's background in event management has afforded her some unique experiences, including meeting the Queen!
Greg Edeson joins TCCO as Policy Analyst. Greg is completing a PhD on water policy and climate adaptation through the University of Tasmania, and holds a Master of Sustainable Systems from the University of Queensland and a Bachelor of Science in Resource and Environmental Management from the Australian National University. He has previously worked on Murray Darling Water policy for the Queensland Government and for UNESCO on natural sciences in Vietnam.
Mike Simons joins TCCO as Policy Analyst, working across climate change adaptation and mitigation. Mike has postgraduate qualifications in environmental management and science, and land use planning. Mike has previously worked for Rana Environmental on energy efficiency and waste diversion strategies for medium-sized businesses. He has also spent some time in strategic planning at the New South Wales Department of Planning and Environment.
Chris Godman joins TCCO as Graduate Policy Officer. Chris holds a Bachelor of Social Science through the University of Tasmania, majoring in Geography & Environment, and Politics & Policy, He has also gained an Advanced Diploma of Wood Products Management through the University of Melbourne and is qualified as a Lead Auditor of Environmental Management Systems.
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Tasmania's latest greenhouse gas accounts
Tasmania's latest greenhouse gas accounts were released in June 2017 as part of the Australian Government's State and Territory Greenhouse Gas Inventories 2015.
In 2014-15, the State's total greenhouse gas emissions were 0.89 mega-tonnes (Mt) carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e), which equates to a reduction of 95 per cent since 1990, and means that for the third year in a row, Tasmania has exceeded its current legislated emissions reduction target of 60 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050.
The most significant reduction in emissions can be attributed to the land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector, which has become a carbon sink of -7.01 Mt CO2-e in 2014-15. Notwithstanding the benefits of the carbon sink held in Tasmania's extensive forests, total Tasmanian emissions, excluding LULUCF, are now almost two per cent below baseline levels. This is the first year that Tasmania has achieved reductions on 1990 levels without reliance on our natural carbon storage advantages.
The reduction in Tasmania's greenhouse gas emissions is considered to be especially significant as, during the same period of time, the Tasmanian population has grown by 12 per cent, and Tasmanian Gross State Product has grown by 62 per cent. This demonstrates that Tasmania has decoupled the historic link between economic activity and emissions growth.
Tasmania's greenhouse gas emissions from 1989-90 to 2014-15, by sector
Download the Tasmanian Greenhouse Gas Accounts Report 2014-15 or visit the TCCO website for further information.
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Tasmania's Climate Change Action Plan
On 1 June 2017, the Tasmanian Government released Climate Action 21: Tasmania's Climate Change Action Plan 2017-2021 (Climate Action 21), which sets the Government's agenda for action on climate change through to 2021. Underpinning the plan is a commitment to establish a long-term target to achieve zero net emissions for Tasmania by 2050. TCCO is currently developing an Implementation Plan for Climate Action 21, which will provide further information on funding and timeframes.
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Independent Review of the Act
The Climate Change (State Action) Act 2008 (the Act) guides the Tasmanian Government's response to climate change, including establishing Tasmania's emissions reduction target.
The Act requires that an independent review is undertaken every four years.
In 2016, the Tasmanian Government commissioned the latest independent review of the Act, which made the following recommendations:
- Set a new emissions reduction target of zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050;
- Consolidate the objects of the Act around four themes;
- Require Tasmanian Government agencies to consider the target, objects and proposed principles of the Act in relation to relevant decisions;
- Include a set of principles to give greater effect to the target and objects of the Act, and provide a clear set of expectations for decision making on climate change; and
- Continue to prepare a plan for mitigating and adapting to climate change, and make it a statutory requirement for the Tasmanian Government to have a climate change action plan.
The Tasmanian Government supports the recommendations, noting that recommendations three and five are supported in-principle given that additional consultation and analysis is required to determine the best approach for their implementation.
A position paper will be released for consultation later this year.
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2017 Electric Vehicle Festival
The Tasmanian Government is sponsoring the 2017 Electric Vehicle Festival, a national event being held in Devonport, Tasmania from 9-12 November 2017.
Supporting this event forms part of the Government’s broader commitment to reducing Tasmania’s transport emissions by promoting the uptake of electric vehicles, as outlined in Climate Action 21.
The theme for the Festival is 'preparing for an electric vehicle future', with presenters covering a range of topics including electric vehicle uptake in Australia, charging networks and electric conversions. It will also include the largest display of electric vehicles in Australia, an electric vehicle group drive from Devonport to Cradle Mountain and an electric bike ride from Hobart to Devonport.
The Festival will be of value to government decision makers, utilities, potential hosts of charging stations, equipment vendors, enthusiasts and the general public.
Further information is available on the Festival website.
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Upcoming Events
Open State: Climate-KIC Australia
Knowledge Innovation Communities (KIC) offer a new way to link research, business, entrepreneurs, investors and government to facilitate systemic change which addresses the challenges and harnesses the opportunities of climate change.
This panel discussion with experts from Europe and Australia will discuss how Australia can leverage these opportunities.
Date: 28 September 2017
Venue: Open State Hub, Adelaide
Information and registration: Climate-KIC Australia
Waste Management Association of Australia Seminar
This seminar is focused on Waste Infrastructure Requirements for Tasmania, including construction and demolition waste, commercial and industrial waste, controlled waste (eg asbestos, contaminated soil), food organics, commercial composting, and medical and related waste.
Date: 29 September 2017
Venue: The Old Woolstore, Hobart
Information and registration: Waste Management Seminar
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Other news
Want to feel more prepared for the potential impacts of a changing climate?
The Red Cross Climate-Ready Communities: A guide to getting started aims to enable people in the community to take action regarding climate change. It has useful tips for community engagement, potential community adaptation actions as well as tables to record climate projections relevant to your region.
The guide is specifically relevant to South Australia, however much of the content can be applied more broadly.
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