WWF WELCOMES QLD’S STRONG NEW CLIMATE AND RENEWABLES LAWS

As climate change ravages the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland has just passed two new laws setting strong climate and renewable energy targets.

World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia CEO Dermot O’Gorman hailed the State Parliament vote as “a landmark moment to help protect Queenslanders, the Reef, and nature from the worst impacts of climate change”.

“WWF congratulates the Queensland government for enshrining these new measures into law. It is a significant step forward, legislating sensible emissions reduction targets, backed by a clear and credible plan to meet them,” Mr O’Gorman said.

“This ambitious emissions reduction target and renewables plan is globally significant. Under Premier Steven Miles’ leadership, Queensland -- historically a fossil fuel state – is seizing the opportunity to become a renewable energy superpower with these two bills.

“We also congratulate Opposition leader David Crisafulli and his team for bipartisan support of the climate target. After the climate wars, support from both sides of politics for a strong target is a watershed moment.

“The LNP did not support the renewables bill. A climate target must be accompanied by a plan to transition to renewable energy. You can’t have one without the other. They are inseparable.

“Without a credible renewables plan, Queenslanders will not have confidence the LNP can achieve the emissions target,” Mr O’Gorman said.

“Today was a turning point for Queensland,” said Ariane Wilkinson, WWF-Australia’s Senior Manager of Climate and Energy Policy.

“The renewable energy targets, set into law, empower the regions to lead Queensland’s energy transformation and strengthen our economy as the world moves to a zero carbon future.

“Legislating both the climate and renewable energy targets will help attract significant investments of private capital.

“This marks a new era for clean industries in Queensland, and a strong and reliable foundation for building on Queensland’s strengths as a renewable energy superpower,” said Ms Wilkinson.