The ACT Government has established a policy forum with South Australia and New South Wales to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
The forum is designed for state and regional sub-national governments around the world to exchange solutions to common obstacles in reaching net zero emissions by 2050.
With the COP26 Cities, Regions and Built Environment Day to be held on Thursday, ACT and state politicians hoped the forum would inspire their domestic and international counterparts to act on climate change.
“Sub-national governments have a vital role to play in getting to net zero emissions because we have some of the most important levers such as transport, buildings, and energy,” said Andrew Barr, ACT Chief Minister and Minister for Climate Action.
David Speirs, SA Minister for Environment and Water, said: “We encourage sub-national governments around the world to join, and help create the low carbon jobs and industries of the future while making sure we leave a better planet to our children and grandchildren.”
Matt Kean, NSW Treasurer and Energy Minister, described the forum as a repository of policies and resources to help members reduce their emissions and grow their economies without reinventing the wheel.
“Taking action on climate change is an economic and environmental imperative,” Mr Kean said. “This is about ensuring states and territories are working together to address it.
“Greenhouse gas emissions do not recognise borders, and to tackle climate change, we need a globally collaborative approach.”
Mr Speirs said speeding up the transition to net zero – and solving the technical, economic, and policy problems of getting there – was necessary to combat climate change on a global scale.
Canberra Liberals leader Elizabeth Lee, currently at the Glasgow conference, said she was very pleased to see the three jurisdictions establish the forum.
“The Canberra Liberals are proud of our tripartisan commitment to net zero emissions by 2045,” Ms Lee said. “I spoke about the important roles of state and territory governments in leading the way to reduce emissions at the COP26 GLOBE International Legislations Summit on Saturday.”
The Forum is an Under2 Coalition initiative supported by the Climate Group and ClimateWorks Australia. It will be directed by a Ministerial Group, which will set the priorities for research and collaboration.
NSW will chair the Ministerial Group for the first 12 months. As the Forum grows, it will be co-chaired by a foreign sub-national government.
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