Minister for Climate, Environment and Water Susan Close will ask Parliament to recognise the global climate emergency when State Parliament returns.

Dr Close will introduce the climate emergency motion in the Parliament, after she tables a petition with more than 10,000 signatures last year from South Australians calling for immediate action on climate change.

The motion will reflect the seriousness of the climate crisis and will recognise the need to decarbonise the South Australian economy.

Almost 10 years of inaction on climate change by federal and state Liberal governments have left Australia badly exposed to the effects of climate change and South Australia can’t afford to wait any longer for real action.

The most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report confirms that
global average temperatures, atmospheric greenhouse gases and ocean acidity are already at dangerous levels and that around the world climate change impacts are already causing loss of life and property, and destroying vital ecosystems.

The report showed that some parts of Australia had already recorded increased average temperatures of 1.4C since 1910 and a significant rainfall decrease across southern Australia, with further drops in annual rainfall expected.

The Malinauskas Labor Government has committed to serious action to address climate change, including building a hydrogen plant and repealing the Liberal tax on electric vehicles.

Quotes

Attributable to Minister for Environment Susan Close

As we work towards net zero emissions by 2050, we must focus on supporting projects and policies which are climate friendly and encourage growth in resilient low-carbon businesses.

The Malinauskas government will position South Australia to take advantage of the global need to rapidly reduce emissions.

A significant project will be our world-leading hydrogen power station, which will be built and operated by the Government, to power green manufacturing right here in South Australia.

After years of federal and state Liberal inaction on climate change, it’s past time to act and that starts with acknowledging the truth of the seriousness of the climate crisis.