The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has released the State’s climate policy, with actions to create a low carbon future and jobs in clean industries.
Minister for the Environment, Stephen Dawson said the policy would ensure the State’s environment, economy and the community were all better prepared for the unavoidable impacts of climate change.
Mr Dawson said the policy focused on six key areas — clean manufacturing and future industries; transforming energy generation and use; storing carbon and caring for landscapes; lower carbon transport; resilient cities and regions; and Government leadership.
The Minister said the policy coincided with the release of the $21 million Electric Vehicle Strategy (see separate story).
“The Climate Policy also includes a commitment for a WA Carbon Farming Strategy to enhance participation in carbon farming, empower traditional owners and deliver regional jobs across the State,” Mr Dawson said.
“Carbon farming will be a key part of the State’s commitment to work with all sectors of the economy to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and the strategy will significantly increase the supply of WA carbon offsets and capitalise on the growing local and international demand for carbon credits.”
He said other commitments included a net zero transition across the public sector, scenario modelling for a zero-emissions electricity sector and the development of sectoral strategies to guide the transition across the State’s key economic sectors.
“This policy enhances Western Australia’s climate resilience and capacity to thrive in a low-carbon future,” Mr Dawson said.
“These actions accelerate the energy and technology transformations already under way and assist in building a cleaner, greener economy.”
He said a coordinated approach to climate change would ensure the State contributed to national emissions reductions while leveraging its competitive advantages as an emerging clean energy superpower.
Western Australia’s new 37-page Climate Policy can be accessed at this PS News link.
