Carbon Neutral Adelaide

The Hon. T.T. NGO (14:39): My question is to the Minister for Climate Change. Will the minister inform the house about how the recent low carbon prize is helping to position South Australia as a world leader in action to combat climate change?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change) (14:39): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. On Monday 17 October, I was very pleased to speak at the launch of the Adelaide to Zero Carbon Neutral Challenge, a very exciting part of our Carbon Neutral Adelaide Strategy.

South Australia has a very proud history of fostering renewable energy and sustainable development, a legacy underpinned by a strong ongoing commitment to innovative low-carbon technology because we know and understand that the future is going to be very carbon constrained. The outcome of COP21 in Paris makes this abundantly clear.

Despite some of those opposite still unable to comprehend both climate science and the scope of global action to address climate change, it is fantastic to see that South Australians have been embracing renewable energy. We know how important it is for our environment, of course, but it is also an incredible opportunity to foster jobs and investment. A fantastic example of this will be Carbon Neutral Adelaide. I have spoken many times about how unique the Carbon Neutral Adelaide partnership is, but I want to again thank our Lord Mayor and the Adelaide City Council for being great partners with the state government.

The Adelaide to Zero Carbon Challenge is an important first big step of Carbon Neutral Adelaide. It seeks to find the best ideas from around the world that will help Adelaide reduce its carbon emissions. The participants had some pretty exciting experiences. They had opportunities to be mentored by senior industry professionals. They received access to public policy leaders and senior government officials. Importantly, they had the ability to see what other leaders in the clean energy innovation space were doing to address climate change.

These opportunities combined to enhance their skills and further their passion for innovative ideas to address our changing climate. Very excitingly, the Adelaide to Zero Carbon Neutral Challenge has brought to light solutions that we can implement right here in Adelaide to cut greenhouse gas emissions, generate new business and continue developing Adelaide as a showcase for clean technology.

The prize provides a total of $260,000, I am advised, in seed funding to develop ideas aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions in energy, transport and waste, and enhancing the livability of the City of Adelaide. I am pleased to be able to advise that the major prize of $100,000 went to Enecon for their innovative carbon-neutral fuel option that can be used to help provide low-carbon electricity to Adelaide and beyond. The second prize went to South Australia's EcoCaddy, winning $50,000 for their sustainable transport delivery option. It is a good result, given the great talent pool of the entrants, that EcoCaddy could be a standout and receive that second prize.

The prize money, I am advised, will be used by these businesses to expand and enhance their innovative solutions for carbon emissions. I look forward to watching these innovative businesses continue to thrive as they embrace the opportunities arising from our carbon-constrained future. Businesses know, as do South Australians, that if you are looking to embrace low-carbon jobs of the future then South Australia is the place to come to, invest and employ South Australians.