The ACT Government has begun work on its next Climate Change Strategy, kicking off early discussions with stakeholders to help guide the path to net zero emissions by 2045 and prepare the ACT to adapt to a changing climate. But the ACT Greens have criticised the release, saying it falls short of expectations.

The new strategy will provide an overarching framework and set clear outcomes, integrating work already underway, while identifying gaps and opportunities to guide action. Detailed action plans will be developed once the strategy’s overarching framework is finalised.

“A framework that embeds climate change action across government and the community and targeted action plans to drive agile, timely and more informed responses will ensure we are adaptable to the challenges we will face,” Suzanne Orr MLA, Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water, said.

The ACT has maintained 100 per cent renewable electricity since 2020, but projections indicate that the ACT will not meet its 2025 interim target of reducing emissions by 50 to 60 per cent on 1990 levels, and that it will struggle to achieve net zero by 2045 if it stays on the current trajectory, Ms Orr said.

“The ACT has always been a leader in climate action. While it will come as a shock to many that we have not met our 2025 interim target, it is not too late to get back on track. And we must get back on track, there is simply too much at stake.

“We are already experiencing the increasing effects of climate change and the detrimental impacts that come with a changed climate. Having a clear vision on how to tackle these impacts while continuing to reduce our emissions will be critical to ensuring the future of our city where our community and environment thrive.”

Broader consultation will begin early next year, but Ms Orr said that engaging stakeholders early would help ensure the strategy was practical, equitable and informed by community and expert input.

“Achieving net zero emissions by 2045 will require collective action,” Ms Orr said. “Everyone from individuals to households to businesses and community groups, will have a role in building a resilient and zero-emissions Territory…

“Over the coming years, our community will need to navigate these complex challenges and take advantage of new opportunities as they arise. The contribution of every Canberran is central to driving climate action, and over the coming months we want to hear your thoughts on the proposed approach.”

ACT Greens

“The Greens are highly concerned that with only two months to go until the end of the current strategy, what we have seen today is a discussion paper to set up consultation, not even a draft plan,” a spokesperson said. “It begs the question of when we will actually see a plan?”

The Greens also questioned why the government’s legislated emission reduction targets were not referenced in the paper as the foundation for the strategy.

“The Government has said we are not on track to meet our 2025 target. The target for 2025 is for a 50-60 per cent reduction. The Government’s own data released at the end of 2024 showed ACT emissions were 50 per cent down on the baseline – at the lower end of that band, but still within the band.

“After years of the Greens doing the heavy lifting on climate policy, Labor went to the election with next to no climate policy, and nothing has seemingly improved since then. Over the coming weeks, the Greens will be investigating the document released today and holding the government to account to go further, faster on climate policy.”

Conservation Council ACT

Conservation Council Executive Director Dr Simon Copland said the ACT Government’s revelation that the ACT would struggle to achieve net zero by 2045 if it stayed on the current trajectory reinvigorated the call for the Government to increase its ambition in tackling carbon emissions and adapting to climate change in the Territory.

“It’s extremely disappointing to hear that we aren’t meeting our emissions targets in the ACT. Canberrans are proud to live in a city that is leading the world on climate change, and I know many will find it shocking to hear we have fallen behind in recent years. 

“What’s particularly disappointing is that the Government is not showing the ambition needed to turn this around – they brought no new climate policies to the 2024 election, have delayed the development of the next Climate Strategy for the ACT, and have broken key commitments like policies to phase out wood-fired heaters. 

“For such government complacency to be occurring not only in the context of overwhelming community support for bold action on climate change, but also in the face of increasingly stark evidence of how badly a changing climate is going to affect the ACT is an insult to all Canberrans.” 

Dr Copland said the ACT needed to get back on track.

“The ACT Government has today begun consultation on a new climate strategy for the Territory. While we are disappointed that this strategy has been delayed, this is a key opportunity to get the ACT back on track to achieving our climate targets. 

“We welcome the Government’s early engagement of stakeholders and the community in developing the ACT’s next Climate Strategy. However, for this engagement to ring true, the Government needs to actually listen to the overwhelming community call for an ambitious and evidenced-based new climate strategy. Canberrans want climate ambition, not cowardice, from our government, so we can safeguard our future and once again lead the world in fairly and effectively addressing climate change.”

The draft discussion paper for the stakeholder consultation process is available via the ACT Climate Change Strategy – Climate Choices website.