Page 4082 - Week 13 - Thursday, 2 December 2021
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There are four objects of the act: (1) to set greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy targets; (2) provide for monitoring of and reporting on progress made to meet these targets; (3) facilitate government’s development of policies and programs to meet these targets and to address and adapt to climate change; and (4) encourage private entities to take action to address climate change and recognise the entities that take action.
The review focused on the four parts of the act. They concern the ACT’s emissions reduction and renewable energy targets, the functions of the minister, the Climate Change Council, and sector agreements. The committee provided input and feedback on the services provided by the independent reviewer and advised on how government should respond to the recommendations of the review.
I am pleased to advise the Assembly that the review found the act to be highly effective in allowing government to set the groundwork for action, to develop policy and successfully meet emissions reduction and renewable energy targets. To 2020, the act was effective in providing for significant and nation-leading action on climate change in the ACT. On this basis the review also deems the act broadly appropriate in allowing the ACT to continue to meet its climate objectives over the long term.
The resounding message from the reviewers is that the act has gained wide support and has successfully achieved its targets to date. The act remains appropriate to the next review in 2030 and the objects themselves also remain appropriate for the future.
The recommendations of the review are to strengthen the act for climate action and adaptation over the coming decade. The review produced 12 recommendations to further strengthen the effectiveness of the ACT’s climate action into the future. The government has agreed to nine, agreed in principle to one, and noted two.
Two recommendations about the social cost of carbon have been noted in recognition of the strength of the recent commitments that the ACT has made. Through the 2021-22 budget and the ACT Climate Change Strategy 2019-25, the government is already committed to embedding and using a social cost of carbon in government decision-making. The ACT will progress meaningful action on understanding the true costs of greenhouse gas emissions, while still preserving the opportunity for the ACT to participate in other national or international carbon pricing options should these arise in the future.
In agreeing in principle to one recommendation about the Climate Change Council, the government is ensuring that it remains open to the council’s advice should the council determine to bring issues to the minister. The suggested changes to the act’s provisions regarding the ACT’s emissions reduction and renewable energy targets are to ensure that they will be upheld and met while promoting government transparency.
Outcomes-focused legislation requires us to effectively monitor and report on the outcomes and understand their impact. The government has accepted the recommendations relating to these changes to uphold and increase our accountability to the community. The review found that the role of adaptation throughout the act needs to be made more prominent, as is consistent with the objects of the act.
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