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Renewables, Climate and Future Industries Tasmania

Climate Change Reference Group - Meeting Summary 1

Meeting 1

Wednesday 3 May 2023

The inaugural Tasmanian Government Climate Change Reference Group meeting was held on Wednesday 3 May 2023.

Membership and attendance

The meeting was co-Chaired by the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, the Hon Roger Jaensch MP, and a delegate from the Premier’s Youth Advisory Council (PYAC).

In addition to the Premier’s Youth Advisory Council, the Reference Group includes representatives from:

  • Australian Medical Association
  • Climate Tasmania
  • Local Government Association of Tasmania
  • Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania
  • Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
  • Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association
  • Tasmanian Forest Products Association
  • Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council
  • Unions Tasmania
  • UTAS Tasmanian Policy Exchange.

The representatives from the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Unions Tasmania were apologies for the first meeting.

1. Welcome and introductions

The co-Chairs began by welcoming members and outlining the role of the Reference Group. The role of the Reference Group is to provide a forum to discuss the Tasmanian Government’s strategic climate change priorities and gain an understanding of the emerging priorities, risks and opportunities in climate change mitigation and adaptation in different sectors of Tasmania’s economy and communities.

The advice and feedback from the Reference Group will inform the development and implementation of the government’s strategic priorities to reduce emissions, support the transition to a low emissions economy and build resilience to the impacts of climate change.

2. Climate Change Reference Group Terms of Reference

The Reference Group agreed to the Terms of Reference, subject to amendments, and agreed the Terms of Reference will be published on the Renewables, Climate and Future Industries (ReCFIT) website.

The Reference Group will meet quarterly. The Minister noted that the government has committed to deliver a review of climate change governance arrangements by mid-2024, which will inform the ongoing structure of climate change governance in Tasmania.

3. Tasmanian Government climate change strategic priorities

a. Tasmania’s Climate Change Action Plan

The Director, Climate Change Office provided an update on the development of Tasmania’s next climate change action plan. Tasmania’s next climate change action plan will guide Tasmania’s action on climate change from 2023 to 2025.

The Climate Change Office is currently drafting the final action plan, guided by the feedback from public consultation which occurred early in 2023.

The action plan will be released in mid-2023. A new action plan will be developed in 2025 to take into account the findings of the statewide climate change risk assessment and the Emissions Reduction and Resilience Plans.

b. Sector-based Emissions Reduction and Resilience Plans

The Director, Climate Change Office provided an update on the development of sector-based Emissions Reduction and Resilience plans. The development of sector-based Emissions Reduction and Resilience Plans is a key strategic government priority. This is a legislative requirement under the recently amended Climate Change (State Action) Act 2008 (the Act).

This requirement was established in response to the independent review of the Act, which included extensive consultation with business, industry, and the community. A consistent theme in relation to sectoral emissions reduction and resilience planning was that a partnership approach between the Tasmanian Government and industry is preferred, rather than regulated sectoral targets.

c. Tasmania’s first statewide Climate Change Risk Assessment

The Director, Climate Change Office provided an update on the process to deliver Tasmania’s first statewide climate change risk assessment. The Risk Assessment will be completed by November 2024 and will assist the government to prioritise actions supporting adaptation to the impacts of climate change, including through future climate change action plans.

4. General discussion and updates from the Reference Group

The Reference Group discussed issues of concern and the action being undertaken in various sectors and groups. A number of matters were noted for discussion at future meetings.

5. Next meeting and forward work program

The Reference Group noted the next meeting date is proposed for August 2023.

The Minister invited members to submit items of interest for future discussion.