The trajectory towards our emissions reduction and renewable energy targets will build on the investments and action already taken, with clear priorities identified across each of the 5 sectors: Electricity, Transport, Agriculture, Buildings and Land. The diagram below indicates where the future priorities lie, with the Queensland Government committed to reducing emissions and achieving our targets through cost-effective and innovative action.
- Actions since 2020
- Underway and still to do
- 2020 total greenhouse gas emissions are 159.2 MtCO2-e, which is 19% below 2005 baseline
- To achieve the 2030 target we need to reduce emissions by a further 21.1 MtCO2-e
Energy
Actions since 2020
- Released the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan
- $145m—committed for Queensland Renewable Energy Zones (QREZ) including:
- $40m—for upgrades to transmission between Cairns and Townsville to unlock capacity in northern Queensland and support the Kaban Wind Farm to connect, and
- $20m—to support developing Queensland’s green hydrogen and renewables manufacturing industries.
- As part of the QREZ:
- $22m—design and cost analysis for pumped hydro at Borumba Dam
- $13m—broaden the scope for engineering, environmental, social and recreational studies and allow an earlier investment decision to be made on the Borumba pumped hydro energy storage project.
- $4.5b—committed for the boosted Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund
- $20m—Queensland Apprenticeships Centre for renewable hydrogen
- $147m—Genex pumped hydro
- $17m—renewable energy training facility
- $2.6m—Queensland Hydrogen Taskforce
Underway and still to do
- Implement the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, which outlines how the Queensland Government will achieve our renewable energy targets and ensure a sustainable and affordable energy future for Queenslanders
- Undertake stakeholder consultation on QREZ roadmap
- Drive savings for households and small business through roll-out of targeted programs
- Release guidelines for Queensland Microgrid Pilot Fund
- Consult on draft Regional Energy Transformation Partnerships Framework
- Deliver a Fuels Strategy to accelerate the uptake of sustainable liquid fuels on the pathway towards net zero and beyond
- Prioritise investment in infrastructure, including big batteries, long-term development of the world's largest pumped hydro site, further development of the Northern, Central and Southern QREZ and support for clean industries
- Drive the growth of the Queensland low carbon hydrogen industry
- Complete technical and economic studies to supercharge domestic renewable hydrogen hubs
Transport
Actions since 2020
- Released the Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy 2022—2032 and the first Zero Emission Vehicle Action Plan 2022—2024, which included a $55 million funding package
- The Future is Electric: Queensland’s Electric Vehicle Strategy
- $5.3m—Queensland Electric Super Highway Phases 1 and 2 completed
Underway and still to do
- Develop a Zero Net Emissions for Transport Roadmap
- Deliver $3.83m for Queensland Electric Super Highway Phase 3 – 24 sites
- Continue to improve the sustainability and climate resilience of transport infrastructure, through reducing whole-of-life emissions and expanding the use of Climate Change Risk Assessments for Infrastructure Projects
Industry
Actions since 2020
- Launch the Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan
- $13.8m across 5 years for the New Economy Minerals Initiative
- Queensland’s Economic Recovery Plan
- $10.6m—Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Training facility at Bohle TAFE campus in Townsville
- $2m—upgrade training facilities at Gladstone State High School to prepare students for jobs in the hydrogen industry
- $5m—Bowen Basin Gas Pipeline concept study to reduce fugitive emissions in the coal industry
Underway and still to do
- Deliver actions in the Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan, supported by $68.5 million of government investment over 5 years for key initiatives including actions to support new economy minerals, circular economy in mining and the development of a Queensland battery industry strategy
- Support onshore processing of new economy minerals, acceleration of resource recovery and associated manufacturing opportunities
- Explore opportunities to decarbonise the resource industry operations and the use of carbon capture and storage to assist decarbonising the economy
- Explore the development of circular manufacturing industry
- Continue to support skills for the new economy. Continue to develop the Queensland Government priority industries including:
- Aerospace, Biofutures, Biomedical, Defence, METS, Beef Processing, Resource Recovery, Superyachts
Buildings
Actions since 2020
- $741m—Resilient Homes Fund (for flooding)
- Further $20m—(Phase 3) to extend the Household Resilience Program (for cyclones)
- Determined the building sector’s contribution to Queensland’s emissions
Underway and still to do
- Develop Zero Net Emissions Infrastructure Plan
- Develop Zero Net Emissions 2050 Buildings Plan
- Identify potential economic measures to reduce emissions associated with buildings
- Prepare for the Brisbane 2032 Climate Positive Olympic and Paralympic Games
- Improve standards for new and retrofitted residential buildings
- Improve standards for new and retrofitted commercial buildings
- Investigate opportunities for residential and commercial building upgrades, including energy efficiency, renewable energy use, and climatic resilience
Land
Actions since 2020
- Released the Queensland Low Emissions Agriculture Roadmap 2022–2032
- First Round Land Restoration Fund
- 2019 Marginal Abatement Cost Curve for Queensland Agriculture
- $10.5m—to continue the Drought and Climate Adaptation Program for a further three years
- $12m—Farm Business Resilience Planning
- $4m—Farm Management Grants Program
- $11m—Drought Preparedness Grants Scheme
Underway and still to do
- $25m—Second Round Land Restoration Fund
- $35m—Natural Capital Fund
- Invest in R&D to scale low carbon agriculture solutions and industry development including: robotics and sensors, micro-macroalgal, net-zero net emissions production systems, supply chain certification and provenance
- Deliver an AgTech Roadmap to drive technological innovation within the sector