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Our role and function
Supporting the Premier in his role as Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change, the Sustainability and Climate Change Division is responsible for implementing the government's commitments on climate change and sustainability within South Australia and leading the government’s programs for positioning the SA economy to respond to climate change and take advantage of emerging opportunities. This includes international and national leadership in climate change policies and initiatives.
The Division also provides support to Cabinet, its committees and other key structures such as the Premier’s Climate Change Council, and supports the Capital City Committee and the Minister of the City of Adelaide, which brings together the State Government and the Adelaide City Council to implement agreed strategic priorities for the City.
At the centrepiece of the Division's work is the Climate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Act 2007 - the nation's first climate change legislation, which sets out three targets to:
- reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the State by at least 60% of 1990 levels by the end of 2050
- increase the proportion of renewable electricity generated so it comprises at least 20% of electricity generated in the State by the end of 2014
- increase the proportion of renewable electricity consumed so it comprises at least 20% of electricity consumed in the State by the end of 2014.
Key priorities for the Division include:
- Continue to implement South Australia’s Greenhouse Strategy to contribute to the achievement of the Kyoto target by limiting the state’s greenhouse gas emissions to 108% of 1990 levels during 2008-2012, as a first step towards reducing emissions by 60% by 2050
- Support the Premier’s Climate Change Council, and in particular facilitate its consultations with industry and the wider community
- Establish a framework for reporting on the operation of the climate change legislation and deliver a preliminary, direct report
- Develop foundational sectoral agreements with business and local government to recognise, promote and facilitate strategies to meet South Australia’s greenhouse targets
- Roll out mini wind turbine trial to government buildings
- Develop and implement plans to reduce South Australia’s ecological footprint by 30% by 2050
- Develop and implement a state-wide climate change awareness raising and behaviour change program
- Implement government carbon neutrality commitments
- Continue to lead Carbon Economy Strategy Group to develop effective responses to climate change
- Continue to contribute to the COAG Working Group on Climate Change and work program
- Collaborate across government to ensure the Commonwealth Government establishes a consistent set of carbon-offset rules for Australia that can be successfully applied in South Australia
- Implement plans for achieving South Australia’s Strategic Plan targets:
- T3.5 – Greenhouse Gas emissions reduction
- T3.7 – Ecological Footprint
Visit the following external sites for more
information:
Tackling Climate Change - www.climatechange.sa.gov.au
Sustainable Living Choices - www.sustainableliving.sa.gov.au
Premier's Climate Change Council - http://www.climatechange.sa.gov.au
Contact
the Sustainability and Climate Change Division
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