CLIMATE CHANGE

Ms THOMPSON (Reynell) (14:35): My question is to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation. How is South Australia linking in with the rest of the world to share knowledge and learn about climate change?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:35): I thank the member for Reynell for her question and highlight the manner by which she communicates with her constituents on a variety of environmental matters. There is no doubt that the climate—

Mr Pisoni: 10,000 people looking for green jobs today.

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: —is changing, the evidence is clear. This is a critical decade. Decisions we make now will determine the severity of climate change that our children and grandchildren experience. This is why the South Australian government is committed to taking action on climate change, and this is why we need to work with other countries and subnational governments to share our knowledge.

In light of this I was pleased to announce on 19 June at the World Summit of States and Regions in Rio de Janeiro that Greenhouse 2013 will be held in Adelaide from 8 to 11 October 2013. Greenhouse 2013 is Australia's leading scientific climate change conference and has been held since 1987. This conference presents a fantastic opportunity for our decision-makers, community groups and individuals to build their knowledge about climate change so we can ensure a more resilient and prosperous future. Each Greenhouse Conference attracts key thinkers in the scientific community to showcase the latest knowledge on climate change. It is through collaboration that we can truly tackle climate change.

The Hon. I.F. Evans interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: I am proud to live in a country where our federal government has implemented a plan that will reduce our projected greenhouse gas emissions and drive investment—

Mr Pengilly interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I'm not sure whose voice that is—I think it is the member for Schubert.

The Hon. P. CAICA: Madam Speaker, far be it from me to correct anything you say, but it was the member for Finniss.

The SPEAKER: Member for Finniss.

The Hon. P. CAICA: I reiterate that I am proud to live in a country where our federal government has implemented a plan that will reduce our projected greenhouse gas emissions and drive investment in clean energy technologies to secure a sustainable future. This is not the be-all and end-all. We as a state need to facilitate the implementation of this plan. We as a state need to work with other states nationally and internationally to ensure that we are all taking action.

Events such as the World Summit of States and Regions, at which I announced Greenhouse 2013, voluntary international alliances, such as the States and Regions Alliance and the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, show how national and subnational governments have a role in the pursuit of a smarter, better and more prosperous world. I was inspired by the leadership of national and regional governments around the world and by the readiness to champion wider action and the commitment to work together—

The Hon. I.F. Evans interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: —to encourage further initiatives. As a result of participating in these events South Australia has forged excellent relationships and learnt of many—

The Hon. I.F. Evans: Are you going on an overseas junket?

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: —ask me some questions—common barriers encountered by other regions in tackling climate change. I trust that these relationships and lessons can be further developed through having regional governments attend the Greenhouse 2013 Conference in Adelaide next year.