Community, Church Leaders: Climate targets vital to reduce costs, emissions

The impacts of extreme weather events in Queensland over the last three years have cost upwards of $24 billion, according to an analysis by the Queensland Conservation Council (QCC).

This is one of the key figures included in a joint submission to the Queensland Productivity Commission (PDF 1mb) (QPC), which calls on the Queensland Government to maintain the State's 75% by 2035 emissions reduction target and support the roll out of clean technology, like energy efficiency and renewable energy, to address climate change while reducing power bills.

The submission is supported by groups including QCC, the Queensland Council of Social Service and Uniting Church Queensland Synod.

The Queensland Government is currently developing a 5-year Energy Roadmap and reviewing the State's 75 per cent by 2035 emissions reduction target. They have tasked the QPC to provide energy and emissions policy advice as a part of this process. No formal consultation is being undertaken by the QPC and the State Government will decide if the advice is made public.

QPC is due to provide advice to the Queensland Government by September 1st. Energy Minister David Janetzki will release the Crisafulli Government’s Energy Roadmap at a speech on October 10.

QCC Senior Renewables campaigner Stephanie Gray said

Our communities are already hurting from the impacts of climate change as more frequent and severe extreme weather events leave a lasting trail of damage, both emotionally and financially, and drive up the cost of grocery bills and insurance.

We simply cannot afford to delay action on climate change when nationally the average cost of insurance premiums has risen by a staggering $800 in just the last year.

The good news is it is entirely possible for Queensland to meet both our renewable energy and emission reduction targets with the right policy innovation and planning.

The Queensland Government’s soon-to-be-announced 5-Year Energy Roadmap is a great opportunity to deliver energy policy certainty and plan for the closure of the State’s coal-fired power stations.

In this roadmap, we’d like to see the Crisafulli Government invest in innovative solutions to maximise rooftop solar, storage and energy efficiency upgrades for all Queensland households.

Helping everyone access local clean energy solutions is a win for power bills, reducing pollution, and creating a fairer energy system.

The Queensland Conservation Council are members of the Power Together coalition, which encourages governments to invest in local energy solutions, including energy efficiency and household solar and storage for all, as well as community resilience and adaptation measures in response to climate change.

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