The new Queensland Environment Minister will have big shoes to fill but also a significant portfolio of critical actions to deliver before the 2024 election.

QCC Director Dave Copeman said, "She will need to set new Qld Government climate targets to increase our climate emission reduction targets. A 30% by 2030 is inadequate to keep Queenslanders safe, and also out of date, as we are currently at 29% reduction in emissions already.  The Queensland Conservation Council is calling on the Minister to deliver stronger emissions targets in line with climate science. At the very least, we need a reduction of more than 60% from 2005 levels by 2030."

"She must change the law to ensure that the Government considers the climate impacts of new coal and gas projects in their environmental approvals.

"The Environment Minister needs to deliver further action to protect endangered species and critical habitat. Landclearing is still out of control, with 400,000 hectares cleared annually in the most recent report.This Environment Minister must deliver greater protections so the koala and greater glider has a chance for survival.

"This minister will have to land a strong independent Environmental Protection Agency before the next election, so that we have environmental laws and agencies that can protect the environment and the places we love.

"We are facing a climate crisis, and a linked extinction crisis. Together, these threaten our lifestyle, our economy, our homes, and the world we live in. Environment is not a small or junior portfolio, as it is critical to our future wellbeing. We acknowledge the achievements of Minister Scanlon, including record investment in new National parks, and we expect Minister Linard to step up the challenge.

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For comment call Dave Copeman on 0408441595

With the Liddell power station in NSW closing today, the Queensland Government is the biggest coal powered generator in the country, and at risk of becoming Australia’s biggest climate polluter, through CS Energy, Stanwell and CleanCo. 

Queensland Conservation Council Director Dave Copeman says that "this is a threat to the Queensland Government’s vision to become a renewable superpower." 

“We welcomed the Queensland Government’s Energy and Jobs Plan last year, as it provided a pathway to move Queensland away from coal. However, the closure of Liddell highlights that Queensland is still moving too slowly to catch up with Southern states."  

“In 2022, 22% of Queensland’s energy came from renewable sources. The rest of the National Electricity Market, excluding Queensland, averaged 40%. With the closure of LIddell, the Queensland Government will become the biggest coal-fired power generator in the country, generating 31 TWh in 2022, compared to 29 TWh from AGL’s remaining generators."

“The Government’s decision to rebuild Callide C4 means it will be neck and neck with AGL for the title of biggest polluter in Australia. If Callide C returns to its operating levels pre-explosion, our emissions will be within 2% of AGLs, and small variations in generation could tip us into first place."

“We need to be competing to secure the jobs and investment in long term future industries, not to be the biggest polluter. We desperately need to see legislated renewable energy targets and an accelerated build of renewable energy so that we can get back into the right race.” 

“To do this, we need bipartisan support for the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan from the LNP opposition. Queenslanders right now are paying the highest electricity prices caused by a lost decade of action on energy transformation, and we can’t afford any more steps backwards. We are calling on David Crisafulli to outline his plan for our energy future, and it must meet or exceed the renewable energy targets within the Jobs and Energy Plan.  We need bipartisan support for a faster transition, or we’ll win the prize no one wants.” 

Jenny Brown, Climate Campaigner, Queensland Conservation Council

0412899 059 

[email protected]