Climate Action in Tasmania
Why is tct tackling Climate Change?
As global temperatures rise, already 1.1 degrees above pre-industrial levels and projected to reach 2.3–2.5 degrees by century’s end, we are already experiencing more floods, bushfires, marine heatwaves and other escalating impacts. We need to do as much as we can to slow climate change to protect our communities and the ecosystems we love and rely on. In Lutruwita/Tasmania, the best way to do this is by reducing our carbon emissions.
But aren’t we ‘net zero’? Isn’t Tasmania clean and green?
Yes, Tasmania is currently ‘net zero’, meaning we are sequestering, or absorbing, more carbon than we are emitting, mostly in our forests. But this doesn’t mean we are clean and green and certainly doesn’t mean we don’t have any carbon emissions. In fact Lutruwita/Tasmania’s 5 emitting sectors haven’t reduced emissions in more than 20 years, with some sectors increasing emissions (See fig 1 below: Tasmanian Greenhouse Gas Emissions Update 2024: Annual progress report for the 2022 reporting year, Tasmanian Policy Exchange, June 2024). We are heavily reliant on our forests to maintain our net zero status, which is both calculated with much uncertainty and as the climate changes over the next few decades, our forest’s ability to draw down carbon is under threat…meaning we may become net-positive (i.e. emitting more carbon than we are drawing down).
Tasmania should be aiming for zero emissions, being a leading contributor to national and global targets to reduce pollution/carbon emissions. With new national targets in place, Australia managing negotiations at the next COP, and Tasmania reviewing its Climate Change Act, now is the time to act.
The TCT has two climate campaigners focused on invigorating our communities and applying pressure on the government to reduce emissions across all sectors, including influencing the current Climate Act Review and developing further sector based campaigns in Transport and Industry. Join us in the fight for ambitious climate action in Tasmania!
Updates on activities
Climate Act review Campaign
Tasmania’s Climate Act was first legislated in 2008 and outlines a series of objectives for the Tasmanian Government’s legislative framework for action on climate change. Every four years, an independent review by RecFIT is done to assess the progress on achieving the Objects of the Act and evaluating if there is a need for additional legislative measures or amendments. Submissions are also open to the general public and closed this year in September.
Progress: The suggested amendments to the Act will be reviewed and reported by RecFIT to the Minister at the end of 2025 to be tabled in parliament in 2026.
Where do we go from here?
Partnering with the Tasmanian Climate Collective, TCT is facilitating a Climate Act Review Forum with the goal to rally together to advocate for a more ambitious and effective Climate Act that strengthens and protects lutruwita from the very real threat of climate change. Advocating for change alone can be overwhelming, which is why TCT is supporting collective and coordinated action to make our voices heard and empower our communities.
UPDATE: Our Forum kicked off in late November with a discussion on our key suggested amendments and actions for the campaign. Watch this space and get involved as we kickstart our campaign at the start of the new year. If you’re a concerned individual or a part of a larger group that wants to be involved, sign up to join the discussion!