South Australia has joined other governments and jurisdictions around the world in declaring a climate emergency in Parliament today.

Climate Minister Susan Close introduced the climate emergency motion, which passed both houses tonight, reaffirming the urgent need to decarbonise the South Australian economy and shift to renewable sources of energy.

Minister Close last year tabled a petition with more than 10,000 signatures from South Australians demanding immediate action on climate change.

The Malinauskas Government is committed to serious action on climate change including building a hydrogen power plant and restoring environmental flows to the River Murray.

The Government is also poised to repeal the Liberals’ tax on electric vehicles and their changes to the Native Vegetation Act which enabled developers to circumvent planning and native vegetation laws in Flinders Chase National Park.

Ten years of inaction and climate culture wars from federal and state Liberals have left Australia badly exposed to the effects of climate change, as well as stymying investment in the renewable energy sector.

South Australia can’t afford to wait any longer for real action on climate change.

The most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report confirms that global average temperatures. The report showed that some parts of Australia had already recorded increased average temperatures of 1.4C since 1910 and a significant rainfall decrease across southern Australia, with further drops in annual rainfall expected.

Quotes

Attributable to Susan Close

We really need to focus on supporting projects and policies which are climate friendly and encourage growth in resilient low-carbon businesses.

The Malinauskas government will position South Australia to take advantage of the global need to rapidly reduce emissions.

Labor sees the climate crisis as a jobs opportunity, especially in the regions where many renewable projects are located.

Our world-leading hydrogen jobs plan will help to power green manufacturing in South Australia, creating jobs and providing clean energy.

After years of Liberal inaction on climate change, it’s time to act and that starts with acknowledging the seriousness of the climate crisis.