Recently Passed Amendment to Tasmanian (Australia) Climate Change Bill Legislates 2030 Net Zero Emissions Target

Tasmania is an island state situated about 250 kilometers south of the Australian mainland. The state is home to over 500,000 people and is similar in size to the country Ireland or the U.S. state of West Virginia. Renowned for its natural beauty and clean food, Tasmania features azure beaches with squeaky white sand; World Heritage-protected rainforests and unique fauna such as the Tasmanian devil. Tasmania is also regularly ranked as having some of the cleanest air in the world due to its location in the Southern Ocean.

In 2020, the Tasmanian Government engaged Jacobs to conduct an independent review of the Tasmanian Climate Change (State Action) Act 2008 (the Act.) The Act specifies that reviews are undertaken every four years. Jacobs undertook the two previous reviews in 2012 and 2016. Jacobs engaged extensively with government, industry and community stakeholders, with over 200 people participating in online forums to discuss the Act and the state’s responses to climate change.

The review team recommended seven changes to the Act:

1.           Set a target to maintain net zero emissions from 2030.

2.           Consolidate and simplify the objectives of the Act making its intent clear and easy to understand.

3.           Establish a set of principles to guide climate action.

4.           Ensure relevant government policies and strategies are informed by climate change.

5.           Legislate the requirement to prepare a climate action plan for the state.

6.           Undertake statewide climate change risk assessments.

7.           Implement emissions reduction and resilience plans for key sectors of the Tasmanian economy and society.

The Tasmanian Government accepted 5 of the 7 review recommendations, which were first passed through the lower house in September 2022 and were then passed on November 10 in the legislative assembly (upper house.) The Act received Royal Assent on November 30, making the new legislation effective from this date. The remaining 2 recommendations were accepted in-principle with the Tasmanian Government adopting a policy approach rather than a legislative approach.

The amendments put Tasmania on a path to sustainable economic development, strengthens Tasmania’s brand as a low carbon state, rich with natural beauty. It legislates measures to build resilient communities as they deal with the impact of climate change.

Legislating a 2030 net zero emissions target, which was previously set at 2050, is one of the most ambitious emissions reduction targets in Australia and among world-leading targets. Due to the state’s extensive renewable energy resources and changes in management of its native forest estate, Tasmania currently has net negative emissions.

The delivery of sector-based plans will simultaneously seek to reduce emissions and improve resilience, providing Tasmanians robust pathways to further the transition towards an even lower carbon future and enhancing the state’s clean, green brand.

State-wide climate change risk assessments will consolidate and utilize Tasmania’s world-class climate scientific knowledge and expertise to provide a robust basis for prioritized investment in climate adaptation planning and resilience building. Sectoral adaptation planning undertaken in partnership with stakeholders will drive effective action towards embedding resilience into communities, the economy and natural environments.

“One of the greatest challenges of our lifetime is adapting to the dramatic impacts of climate change,” says Jacobs Vice President & General Manager, People & Places Solutions – Australia and New Zealand Rich Hayers.  “We’re proud of our partnership with the Tasmanian Government, helping define integrated, actionable paths forward via the Climate Change Act and advancing the state's reputation as a climate response leader.”

The Act helps Tasmania respond to the challenges of climate change providing legislative mechanisms to help decarbonize and improve the resilience of the state’s economy and communities. The passing of these recommendations helps Tasmania avoid the worst impacts of climate change, providing opportunity for the state to promote further economic development through its advantages in tourism, renewable energy capacity, and clean and green produce and branding.