Climate change in Tasmania

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Climate change in Tasmania affects various environments and industries, including agriculture.

Contents

Greenhouse gas emissions

The state's emissions amounted to 15.5 million tonnes in 2005 compared to -4.34 million tonnes in 2022. [1] Due to dry conditions, the Tasmanian government imported more fossil fuel energy in 2024. [2]

Tasmania reached net-zero in 2015. [3] Tasmania is of the world's few jurisdictions which removes more greenhouse gases from the atmosphere than it emits. [4] A reduction in the rate of logging was a major factor in the reduction of emissions. [5]

Impacts of climate change

Eucalypt forests

Climate change is reducing the rate at which carbon can be sequestered by eucalypt trees. [6]

Reduced precipitation

Total summer rainfall decreased by 43%. [7]

Bushfires and bushfire risk

In the "worst-case" scenario, the risk of a bushfire occurring would "double". [8] Potentially, mercury pollution from previous decades and stored in trees may have been released during the 2019-2020 bushfire season. [9]

Viticulture

Tasmania would become more amenable to grape farming as temperatures rise, compared to mainland Australia which would become less amenable to grape farming. [10]

Response

Policies

In July 2024, the Australian federal government approved gas permits in waters off Tasmania. [11]

Metro Tasmania introduced electric buses and hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses in Hobart, though this was later paused. [12]

Legislation

Climate Change (State Action) Act 2008

Climate Change (State Action) Act 2008
Parliament of Tasmania
  • An Act for certain measures to help the State address the challenges of climate change and contribute to the broader national and international response to those challenges and for related purposes
CitationNo 36 of 2008
Assented to2008-10-22
Legislative history
Bill titleClimate Change (State Action) Bill 2008
Bill citation40 of 2008
Introduced byDavid John Bartlett
Keywords
emissions targets
Status: In force

The Act requires that Tasmania reduce its emissions 60% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels. [13]

Inspired by corresponding legislation in South Australia, the law also requires the setting of interim targets by the Tasmanian Government. [14]

Unlike other legislation such as the Climate Change Act 2008, the setting of the interim targets is not managed by an independent body, equivalent to the Climate Change Committee. [14] Although was suggested as part of a proposed Safe Climate Bill, by the Tasmanian Greens. [14]

The Tasmanian Government failed to publish the 2009 and 2014 State of the Environment reports that it is required to under the Act. [15]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Shine, Rhiannon (2024-04-24). "WA's greenhouse gas emissions continue to climb above 2005 levels despite net zero pledge". ABC. Archived from the original on 2024-05-02. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
  2. ↑ Duggan, Josh (2024-10-22). "Dry spell undoes Tasmania's claim of being 100 per cent powered by green energy". ABC News. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  3. ↑ Posner, Rupert; Graham, Simon (2021-06-07). "Tasmania's reached net-zero emissions and 100% renewables – but climate action doesn't stop there". The Conversation. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  4. ↑ "Transition to a zero-emissions future". University of Tasmania. 2025-02-24. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  5. ↑ Humphries, Alexandra (2022-06-14). "Tourists 'come for the wilderness and trees, not logging', Tasmanian operator says". ABC News. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  6. ↑ Wardlaw, Tim (2024-03-20). "Tasmania's tall eucalypt forests will be wiped out by heatwaves unless we step in to help them". The Conversation. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  7. ↑ Morton, Adam (2022-03-03). "Tasmania records driest summer in 40 years as La Niña 'swings the wind around'". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  8. ↑ "Tasmanian bushfire risk to 'double' if climate emissions continue apace". ABC News. 2015-12-14. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  9. ↑ Allen, Kathryn; Schneider, Larissa; Haberle, Simon (2019-04-07). "Mercury pollution from decades past may have been re-released by Tasmania's bushfires". The Conversation. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  10. ↑ Milman, Oliver (2013-08-02). "As climate change bites, Tasmania raises a glass to its grape expectations". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  11. ↑ "Waters off SA, Victoria and Tasmania opened for new gas exploration". ABC News. 2024-07-23. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  12. ↑ Mortell, Sean (2024-01-29). "Metro Tasmania introduces new suite of electric buses". Australasian Bus and Coach. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  13. ↑ Swann, Tom (2021-05-06). "Submission: Review of Tasmania's Climate Change Act and developing".{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  14. 1 2 3 Christoff, Peter; Eckersley, Robyn (2021-10-21). "Convergent evolution: framework climate legislation in Australia". Climate Policy. 21 (9): 1190–1204. Bibcode:2021CliPo..21.1190C. doi: 10.1080/14693062.2021.1979927 . ISSN   1469-3062.
  15. ↑ Bovill, Monte (2024-03-16). "What environmental promises are Tasmania's major parties making?". ABC News. Archived from the original on 2024-03-17. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
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