Bold emission target laws introduced in Queensland

Premier Steven Miles has announced a 75 per cent emissions reduction target for Queensland by 2035.

Laws to legislate bold increased emissions reduction targets have been introduced by the Queensland government.

Premier Steven Miles announced when ascending to the top job in December he would move the Sunshine State’s emissions goalposts even further over the next decade.

Mr Miles on Wednesday took the first step when he tabled legislation that commits the state to a 75 per cent reduction target by 2035.

The existing goals of 30 per cent by 2030 and net zero by 2050 remain.

The premier said the “landmark” plan would chart Queensland away from fossil fuels and towards renewable alternatives.

He said decarbonising Queensland’s economy was “critical”, citing future projects such as the world’s largest pumped hydro scheme in the north’s Pioneer-Burdekin region.

“We’re progressing major wind projects like the Wambo and MacIntyre wind farms so we can power even more Queensland homes with cheaper, cleaner renewable energy,” he said.

The government is also forging ahead with a $5 billion plan to link the mineral-rich northwest with the national grid via a high voltage line from Townsville.

The Copperstring project is set to provide more affordable power to companies mining vast deposits of copper, zinc, lead, silver and phosphates and rare earths needed to make smartphones and renewable energy parts.

The enormous infrastructure project has bipartisan support.

Mr Miles said these projects and more renewable alternatives in the pipeline would cut energy prices, with the economic benefits passed on to Queenslanders.

“I am proud of the work we are doing to preserve Queensland’s environment for the next generation to reduce our emissions contribution to slow climate change and power Queensland on the sun, wind and water we have in abundance,” he said.

The government’s emission target has been welcomed by environmentalists who’ have called for its bipartisan support.

“We call on Queensland’s opposition leader David Crisafulli to match this target to lock in a bipartisan approach and boost the LNP’s credibility on climate heading into an election year,” said Australian Conservation Foundation’s Gavan McFadzean.

In the midst of a renewables push, the government has also continued with fossil fuel approvals in central Queensland’s Bowen Basin.

The Vulcan South coal mine had been issued an approval by the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) in January with environmentalists calling on federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to intervene.

Habitats for koalas, the endangered greater glider, the vulnerable glossy black cockatoo and squatter pigeon are at risk should the project go ahead.

The Queensland government last week granted approvals for an open-cut metallurgical and thermal coal mine expected to emit 583 million tonnes of carbon emissions, also in the Bowen Basin.

The state’s co-ordinator-general recommended Winchester South proceed in November before DESI approved the environmental authority application for Whitehaven’s mine.

Environmentalists have also called on Ms Plibersek to intervene in its approval.

Methane levels produced by Winchester South put both the 2035 targets and 2050 net zero targets at risk, the Queensland Conservation Council said.

Winchester South has a proposed 30-year life and is expected to mine a combined 17 million tonnes of thermal and metallurgical coal per year.