We are already experiencing hotter summers, more frequent natural disasters and impacts on our natural environment (such as coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef).
These changes pose a threat to our economy, our communities, our environment and our way of life.
A global economic transition is underway as countries around the world move to reduce pollutants and adopt low carbon alternatives.
As a result, Queensland’s economy, industries and communities will also need to change.
The Queensland Government is committed to playing its part in the global effort to address the impacts of climate change and ensure the long-term viability of our economy, communities and industries.
The Queensland Climate Change Response outlines our commitments and the actions we will take to transition to a low carbon, clean growth economy and adapt to the impacts of a changing climate.
We will make the transition in a way that delivers the best outcomes for Queensland—by securing new jobs and opportunities for Queenslanders, supporting and strengthening our communities and protecting our precious natural environment.
Queensland Climate Change Response video
Queensland’s climate is changing
That means damage to our reef, hotter and longer summers and more intense natural disasters.
We need to act.
The world is responding by cutting pollutants and adopting low-carbon alternatives.
Queensland’s economy, industries and communities are changing, too.
Help is at hand.
The Queensland Government is working with industry, councils and communities to grow opportunities.
Our target is zero net emissions by 2050.
To get there, we’ll need to:
Diversify our economy by creating new jobs and industries
Help existing industries remain competitive
Support communities to take action
We’re carefully and steadily working towards our target.
Together, government, councils, industry and communities need to prepare for a changing climate.
To become more adaptable, we’ll need to:
Understand what is changing
Use the best science to help us plan
Make sure our future decisions take climate change into account
Work together and share our knowledge because together we will be more resilient
Climate action requires everyone to play their part so we can minimise the risks and harness the opportunities.
The Queensland Government is leading the way and working closely with business and industry, local councils and regional communities to understand, adapt and transition.
Understand—use science to understand climate impacts and support decision making.
Adapt—take action to adapt to the impacts of a changing climate.
Transition—take action to transition to a clean energy, low carbon economy.
Queensland Government commitments
The Queensland Climate Change Response builds on government commitments and actions that are underway to support adaptation and transition.
Transitioning to a low carbon energy sector Working with industry and the community to transition to an efficient, affordable and fair clean energy system, including: setting a 50% Renewable Energy Target by 2030 to drive jobs, investment, and cut carbon pollution; unlocking North Queensland’s renewable energy potential through the Powering North Queensland Plan (PDF, 3.61MB); and supporting and additional 400 megawatts of new large-scale renewable capacity under the Powering Queensland Plan.
CarbonPlus fund Funding of $8.4 million to support and expand the carbon farming industry and create jobs.
Solar150 Encouraging development of up to 150 megawatts of large-scale solar power generation in Queensland.
Green Bonds Support investment in environmentally responsible projects through Green Bonds issued by the Queensland Treasury Corporation.
QCoast2100 Funding of $12 million over three years to assist local councils deal with coastal hazards and the impacts of sea-level rise.
Queensland Climate Resilient Councils A three-year program to build and strengthen local government capacity to respond to the opportunities and risks of climate change.
Electric vehicles The Future is Electric: Queensland’s Electric Vehicle Strategy, the Queensland Electric Super Highway and other initiatives.
Green star ratings Work to achieve Green Star ratings for government buildings.
Sustainability assessments Assessments, which include climate change considerations, required for all government capital projects over $100 million in value.
Regional Climate Change Impact Summaries The summaries provide regionally specific, interactive information on projected future climate change impacts for 13 Queensland regions.
