Ms O’CONNOR question to LEADER for the GOVERMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Ms RATTRAY
[2.41 p.m.]
A new state climate action plan is to be developed every 5 years, with the new plan to be developed by 2028.
(1) Given the current plan was to address the years 2023 25, what will drive action in the interim years from 2026 27? Given the urgency of acting to reduce carbon emissions, can the minister commit to making amendments to the current action plan before 2028?
(2) In regard to the changes in Tasmania’s net emissions in the years 2017 22, can the government offer an observation as to what the changes have been, and does it recognise any pattern? What does the government expect to happen to emissions in the next 5 years – I might say, particularly given the results of the recent review that found that they’re likely to go up from forests?
(3) In relation to the development of bioenergy production, apart from the Cement Australia project, what will be the source of biomass for current projects and others planned in the future?
(4) It is noted the government is considering a transition to zero-emission buses. Given the urgency of acting to reduce emissions, becoming less reliant on fossil fuels, and the opportunities for funding from the Australian Government, such as through the Driving the Nation Fund. What date can the minister commit to replacing the Metro bus fleet with electric buses, and when will funding be flowing to start this process?
ANSWER
Mr President, the Tasmanian government is focused on finalising the projects from the Tasmanian climate change action plan 2023 25, delivering on actions in the 6 sector-based emissions reduction and resilience plans and the government response to the statewide climate risk assessment, which was released in 2024.
Given the range of actions being delivered under the action plan, the 6 sector-based plans and the government response to the statewide climate change risk assessment, the Tasmanian government is committed to developing the next climate change action plan for release by 2028, in line with the legislated five year timeframe. This timeframe is extended to enable the next action plan to take into account the findings of the risk assessment and the sector based emissions reduction and resilience plans. Consistent with the requirements under the act, it will also enable the plan to be informed by new climate change projections for Tasmania, currently under development, as well as the 2024 25 independent review of the act, which was tabled in parliament on 25 March.
Development of the next action plan will commence in 2027. In 2017, Tasmania’s greenhouse gas emissions were 1.7 MT of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e). In 2022 emissions were -4.68 MT of CO2-e. The decrease in Tasmania’s emissions, or increase in the carbon sink, between 2017 22 is due to a range of factors across various reporting sectors.
Emissions from Tasmania’s energy sector reduced from 3.79 MT CO2-e to 3.54 MT CO2 e over this period. Largely due to operational output of the Tamar Valley power station, while transport emissions increased by 0.07 MT CO2-e. Emissions from the industrial processes and product use sector reduced from 1.72 Mt CO2 e to 1.58 Mt CO2 e due to improved energy efficiency and emissions intensity of production processes, while emissions from products used as substitutes for ozone depleting substances increased by 0.03 Mt CO2 e. Emissions from the agriculture sector increased from 2.54 Mt CO2 e in 2017 to 2.65 Mt CO2 e in 2022, largely due to higher enteric methane emissions from larger livestock herd numbers.
Emissions from the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry sector decreased from 10.37 Mt CO2 e in 2017 to 12.81 Mt CO2 e, [an increase? Need to clarify with member] due to decreased rates of land clearing, together with an increase in the establishment of plantations and increased regeneration and regrowth of previously cleared land and harvested forest. Waste emissions reduced from 0.41 Mt CO2 e in 2017 to 0.39 Mt CO₂ e in 2022 due to reduced organic waste landfill emissions. Each year the Australian Government publishes national emissions projections out to 2040. These projections are not currently published at a state or territory level. However, the Australian Government has indicated the size of Tasmania’s carbon sink is likely to continue to increase over the next five years.
The proponents of the following bioenergy projects in Tasmania have stated that sources of biomass, which in some cases are still under contractual negotiation, are: HIF e fuels, biomass residues to be sourced from suitably certified hardwood plantations in Tasmania; Bell Bay Powerfuels, biomass residues to include forest floor residues and processing waste from sawmills and woodchipping plants in Tasmania. Biomass suppliers will be required to have internationally recognised Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification or Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). Westbury Bio Hub, organic waste to be sourced from cropping and other agricultural processing residue and Council FOGO waste streams.
The Tasmanian government is supporting Metro Tasmania to run the zero emissions bus trial. The trial includes four battery electric buses (BEB), in Launceston and three hydroelectric [sic – hydrogen electric?] buses (HEB), in Hobart. Both trials will run for a two year period and the BEB trial will end in August 2026 and the HEB trial will end in June 2027. The bus trials will provide valuable information to inform future transition planning for the state’s public transport network. The Tasmanian government will continue to work to maximise funding opportunities available through the Australian Government to support transport initiatives. The program guidelines for the Driving the Nation Fund indicate projects related to electrification of buses are not eligible for funding.
