Queensland’s future economy – Driving climate action 2020–2030

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

    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

    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