The South Australian Government has taken yet another step to secure South Australia’s position as a global leader in taking action against climate change by committing to enshrine the state’s ambitious emission reduction targets in legislation, ahead of the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP26).

The Government has already committed to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and has today gone one step further with a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 per cent by 2030. The ambitious goals are beyond the targets mentioned in the current Climate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Act 2007 for emissions reduction and renewable energy production.

The Government has provided hundreds of millions of dollars of investment across our environment and energy portfolios as well as developing our Climate Change Action Plan 2021–25, which is the most powerful vision for climate action of any South Australian Government in history.

South Australia is well equipped to use our abundance of sun, wind and other natural resources to take full advantage of the growing demand for low emissions and climate smart products.

Addressing climate change has its challenges, but it also can bring significant opportunities for South Australia, including investment and jobs in low emissions and climate resilient business and industry.

South Australia's climate change initiatives since March 2018

  • Interconnector – underwrite early works
  • Home Battery Scheme - $118 million
  • Grid Scale Storage Fund - $50 million
  • Electric Vehicle Action Plan $18 million
  • Hydrogen Action Plan
  • Primary Industries carbon transformation projects - $1.5 million (seaweed industry productivity and methane emissions)
  • Securing the future of our coastline $61.1 million
  • Conserving Private Land conservation $3 million
  • Greener Neighbourhoods $8 million
  • Shellfish reefs $5.4 million
  • Blue carbon $2 million
  • Expansion of prescribed burning program - $28.4 million over 4 years plus $9 million ongoing

Find out more at https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/climate-change/climate-change-action-plan-2021-2025

Wednesday 27 October 2021