SIMON Corbell says Canberra’s environmental watchdog has given the thumbs up to the ACT Government’s response to climate change in the region.
The commissioner today released his report into the government’s implementation of the ACT’s climate change policy, which provides an assessment of the ACT’s steps so far to reduce emissions and adapt to future climate change.
The report found that government policy, combined with greenhouse gas reduction targets, has positioned the ACT among the world’s most progressive jurisdictions in terms of mitigating the impacts of climate change.
“I am pleased that this report recognises the considerable progress of the ACT in implementing some of the world’s most progressive emission reduction targets,” Simon said.
“This report is a timely and informed piece of work which forms an integral part of the monitoring and reporting regime for government when looking at our actions to combat climate change in the territory.
“The ACT Government will study the challenges and opportunities presented in this report and make a formal response later this year.”
Mr Neil said the ACT Government was responding to the challenges and opportunities posed by climate change through its targets of 90% renewable energy use by 2020 and 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels by 2020, which were the most ambitious legislative targets of any state or territory in Australia.
The cost of meeting the 90% renewable energy target is expected to peak at about $4.67 per household per week in 2020 before diminishing afterwards. This cost is offset by savings through government mandated programs like the Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme.
The policy contains a set of actions designed to achieve the ACT’s legislated 2020 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target.
The Office of the Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability’s Implementation Status Report: A report on the implementation of AP2: a new climate change strategy and action plan for the Australian Capital Territory is available at environmentcommissioner.act.gov.au
[Photo by Thomas, attribution licence.
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