Queensland Climate Action Plan

Queenslanders are taking strong action on climate change

The Queensland Government has set bold but achievable targets for reducing our emissions while creating jobs.

The Queensland Government has committed to lifting Queensland’s ambition on climate action by setting a new emissions reduction target of 75% by 2035. The Government is set to introduce legislation to lock in its emissions reduction targets, including the existing targets of 30% reduction below 2005 levels by 2030 and zero net emissions by 2050.

We will deliver:

  • 50% renewable energy target by 2030
  • 30% emissions reduction below 2005 levels by 2030
  • 70% renewable energy by 2032
  • 75% emissions reduction below 2005 levels by 2035
  • 80% renewable energy by 2035
  • zero net emissions by 2050.

We have almost reached our 2030 emissions reduction target, having reduced emissions by 29% since 2005 based on the latest 2021 data.

Queensland is also taking strong steps to ensure our communities and businesses are preparing for the risks of climate change. The Queensland Climate Adaptation Strategy (PDF, 2MB) was released in 2017 and supports climate adaptation.

More jobs in more industries

As part of the Queensland Government’s Economic Recovery Plan, we are investing in the projects and programs we need to create good, secure jobs and open up new industries, while reducing our emissions and meeting our targets.

More than $10 billion has been invested in Queensland renewables since 2015. The Government will work directly with publicly owned energy businesses to develop proposals for clean energy hub investment backed by the boosted $4.5 billion Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund.

Queensland’s Energy and Jobs Plan builds on our investment to date and positions Queensland to have a thriving clean energy economy.

Together, we are delivering more jobs, in more industries.

About this website

This website showcases the significant climate action taken by the Queensland Government, along with case studies showcasing sustainable practices implemented by Queensland businesses and communities to build climate resilience and secure a more sustainable economic future. It also provides access to important resources that support ongoing action by industry and the community.

Do you have a story to share?

We would love to hear about how Queenslanders are taking climate action in their own home, community or business.

Send your climate action story to climatechange@des.qld.gov.au and your project may be profiled on the Queensland Climate Action website.

If you want to be part of the journey, subscribe to our Queensland Climate Action newsletter for regular updates on climate action.

Government, industry and the community are all in this together. Let’s take action on climate change, become more resilient and seize the opportunities of the low emissions future.

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
    • Queensland’s total emissions for 2021 are 139.7 Mt CO2-e, which is 29% below the 2005 baseline. This is 14.2 Mt CO2-e less than 2020 levels.
    • To achieve the 2030 target we need to reduce our current emissions by a further 2.5 MtCO2-e.
  • Energy

    Actions since 2020

    • Released Queensland's Clean Energy Workforce Roadmap
    • 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

    • Released the Queensland new-industry development strategy. The strategy identifies decarbonisation opportunities in priority industries. These industries use Queensland’s traditional strengths and existing industries to capitalise on global trends. They’re industries that will create prosperity for Queenslanders.
    • Launched the Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan
    • $13.8m across 5 years for the critical 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 critical minerals, circular economy in mining and the development of a Queensland battery industry strategy
    • Support onshore processing of critical 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