Sustainability Strategy

Submission to Tasmania's Draft Sustainability Strategy

This Submission addresses Tasmania's draft sustainability strategy. Despite Tasmania's claim of carbon neutrality, the island's heavy reliance on fossil fuels remains a significant concern. Recent data from the Australian Energy Statistics (2020-21) reveals that 58% of Tasmania's primary energy is sourced from fossil fuels, including coal and imported oil.

To address this, the following recommendations should be incorporated into Tasmania's Sustainability Strategy:

1. Transparency and Accountability:

Recommendation: Establish time-bound, actionable targets under each Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) and link them to existing initiatives, quantifying their contributions. This approach ensures accountability and facilitates progress tracking.

2. Resource Allocation and Planning:

Recommendation: Allocate sufficient resources to meet the targets set for each SDG goal. For instance, detailed modeling, similar to the CSIRO model for electric vehicle uptake, should be commissioned as part of the Emission Reduction Plan development. This modeling should outline necessary measures, such as tax incentives and subsidies, to achieve set targets within specified timeframes.

3. Ambitious Clean Energy Goals:

Recommendation: Adopt an ambitious target of 100% primary clean energy by 2040. This goal aligns with AEMO’s Integrated System Plan, providing a tangible and science-based milestone for Tasmania's sustainable energy transition. Achieving this target would significantly reduce Tasmania's gross per-capita emissions by approximately 10 tonnes, contributing substantially to the carbon neutrality commitment.

4. Inclusive Support Mechanisms:

Recommendation: Implement means-tested subsidies and tax benefits to support vulnerable populations, renters and low-income Tasmanians, to participate in clean energy initiatives. This approach fosters social equity, reduces inequality, lowers the cost of living. Co-benefits include minimizing health impacts caused by particulate pollution.

5. Comprehensive Integration of Initiatives:

Recommendation: Integrate existing policy development and implementation frameworks, such as those sitting under RECFIT, green hydrogen, renewable energy zones, and climate action plans, into the overarching Sustainability Strategy. This integration will enable network effects, ensuring that individual initiatives work collectively towards Tasmania's sustainability goals.

Additionally, the state government’s ongoing community-focused efforts in designing the north-west renewable energy zone should be applauded. The inclusive approach, involving community stakeholders and utilizing advanced geo-spatial tools, exemplifies best practices and should be highlighted within the Sustainability Strategy.

These steps will not only bolster confidence and attract investments but also generate substantial social, economic, and environmental benefits for all Tasmanians.

Jack Redpath
Principal
Carbon Zero Initiative

jack@carbonzero.org.au
4/24 Davey Street
Hobart
7000 TAS