Climate Change

The Hon. T.T. NGO (14:53): My question is to the Minister for Climate Change. Will the minister inform the chamber about the recent report compiled by the CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology about the latest projections for the impact of climate change and what this means for South Australia in particular?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change) (14:53): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. Recent climate change data has reconfirmed that our climate is indeed changing. According to two separate analyses by scientists from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2014 was confirmed as earth's warmest year since 1880. According to updated climate change projections for Australia released by the CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology on 27 January of this year, the situation is particularly serious for Australia.

I understand that these projections are the most comprehensive ever released for Australia and are drawn from simulations based on up to 40 global climate models. They describe likely changes and key variables for Australian regions, including temperature and rainfall averages and extremes, heatwaves, fire, cyclones, average and extreme sea level rise and ocean acidification. In detail, the report confirms that since 1910 average temperatures across Australia have risen by 0.9ºC. This trend is expected to continue, leading to greater extremes of hot temperatures and fewer cold extremes.

In respect to Adelaide specifically, the report forecasts that we can expect to experience an increase in the number of days above 35° Celsius from 20 in 1995 to as high as 47 in 2090. These findings also confirm that rainfall has increased in northern Australia since the 1970s and decreased in south-east and south-west Australia and that extreme rainfall events that lead to flooding are likely to become more intense. The number of tropical cyclones is projected to decrease but they may be more intense and reach further south. The report predicts that southern and eastern Australia is projected to experience harsher fire weather.

In addition, the report finds that sea levels have risen by approximately 20 centimetres since 1900 and are projected to continue to rise throughout the 21^st century and beyond, with oceans around Australia warming and becoming more acidic. These findings and predictions are extremely sobering and would have a severe impact on all and every aspect of our way of life. This was confirmed by the chief executive of the Climate Institute, Mr John Connor, in The Advertiser on 28 January, who said that this new data:

…reinforces earlier analysis…that showed large chunks of the Australian economy will be whacked by global warming...sectors like agriculture, health and ecosystems are hit well beyond their ability to adapt.

In a separate interview in The Australian on the same day, Mr Connor was quoted as saying that the report highlighted the need for ambitious post-2020 pollution reduction targets, a transition plan to decarbonise the economy and a far greater integration of climate resilience in planning and assessment.

If this report does anything, it confirms that South Australia is on the right track with its nation-leading policies and initiatives on climate change. We were the first state in Australia to pass legislation in 2006 committing us to renewable energy and emissions reduction targets. Specifically this legislation commits us to reducing the state’s greenhouse gas emissions to 40 per cent of 1990 by 31 December 2050.

According to the latest measure released by the commonwealth Department of the Environment on 15 April 2014, we had achieved more than a 10 per cent reduction in 2011-12. This reduction in our emissions is closely linked to the growth in renewable energy in our state. Our policy framework and ambitious targets have allowed this important sector to flourish in South Australia. We were the first jurisdiction in Australia to introduce planning guidelines for wind farms in 2003, and our regulatory frameworks for renewable energy development are considered to be the most supportive in the country.

In October 2013, we committed to an investment target of $10 billion in low carbon generation by 2025 in recognition of the economic development potential of this industry, and last year we increased our renewable energy target to 50 per cent by 2025. As a result, in the 2011-12 financial year, wind generation overtook coal for the first time to become the second most common fuel source for electricity generation after gas. Today South Australia has 41 per cent of the nation’s operating wind farm capacity, and we lead the nation in the uptake of rooftop solar photovoltaics.

In addition, we have developed a framework for climate change adaptation. This framework will form the basis for regional leaders to work together to plan for the impacts of climate change. It has attracted international attention because of its strong local and regional focus. While I am incredibly proud of these achievements, I do not think we have the luxury of being able to rest on our laurels. We need to do more, because transitioning to a low carbon economy is not only essential to safeguard our environment and our way of life but it will also offer our state real opportunities for economic development and diversification.

This year we will be developing the state’s climate change strategy, which will also outline a plan to achieve the bold ambition of making Adelaide the world’s first carbon neutral city. The strategy provides an exciting opportunity to work even more closely with the community and the business sector to set out a plan to achieve a low carbon future. As this report from the CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology clearly shows, now is the time to take meaningful action. We do not have any time to waste.