Hon Paul Llewellyn asks about the WA government's response to business concerns regarding investment risks associated with carbon emissions and strategies to address these risks. Hon Kim Chance acknowledges a discrepancy in the question but outlines the government's approach, emphasizing national-level action and state-level initiatives.

AnsweredQoN 959Legislative Council
Asked
26 October 2006
Portfolio
Energy

QuestionView source ↗

CLIMATE CHANGE - RISKS TO COMPANIES
I refer to a recent survey commissioned by the Carbon Disclosure Project, which revealed that 94 per cent of the top 150 Australian and New Zealand companies recognise the potential for climate change to impact on future earnings, liabilities and companies’ general risk profiles. (1) What is the government’s response to the concerns raised by business leaders about the growing investment risk associated with carbon? (2) What short and long-term strategies are being considered to address this risk? Hon KIM CHANCE

AnswerView source ↗

There are some differences between the question asked and the question of which some notice was given. I hope this answer is adequate. (1)-(2) The government’s position is that measures to address greenhouse gas emissions are best undertaken at the national level. It is concerned by the lack of action from the federal government on this issue. As a result of that lack of action, this government has undertaken a number of steps to address the state’s greenhouse emissions while at the same time ensuring continued economic growth. In September 2004, the government released the “Western Australian Greenhouse Strategy”, which comprehensively outlined a strategic response to climate change. It referred to government leadership, emissions reporting, sequestration and abatement. The government also commissioned the greenhouse and energy task force to advise it on appropriate emissions targets for 2050 and the policies and strategies to achieve these. The task force will report in December 2006. Business and other key stakeholders have been and will continue to be actively consulted through the National Emissions Trading Taskforce consultation process. Western Australia, along with the other states and territories, is engaged in that process. The government has set a target of six per cent of electricity sold on the main electricity grid to come from renewable sources by 2010. A renewable strategy is being developed, including a target for 2020. A range of potential targets is being considered.
(1) What is the government’s response to the concerns raised by business leaders about the growing investment risk associated with carbon? (2) What short and long-term strategies are being considered to address this risk? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: There are some differences between the question asked and the question of which some notice was given. I hope this answer is adequate. (1)-(2) The government’s position is that measures to address greenhouse gas emissions are best undertaken at the national level. It is concerned by the lack of action from the federal government on this issue. As a result of that lack of action, this government has undertaken a number of steps to address the state’s greenhouse emissions while at the same time ensuring continued economic growth. In September 2004, the government released the “Western Australian Greenhouse Strategy”, which comprehensively outlined a strategic response to climate change. It referred to government leadership, emissions reporting, sequestration and abatement. The government also commissioned the greenhouse and energy task force to advise it on appropriate emissions targets for 2050 and the policies and strategies to achieve these. The task force will report in December 2006. Business and other key stakeholders have been and will continue to be actively consulted through the National Emissions Trading Taskforce consultation process. Western Australia, along with the other states and territories, is engaged in that process. The government has set a target of six per cent of electricity sold on the main electricity grid to come from renewable sources by 2010. A renewable strategy is being developed, including a target for 2020. A range of potential targets is being considered.
(2) What short and long-term strategies are being considered to address this risk? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: There are some differences between the question asked and the question of which some notice was given. I hope this answer is adequate. (1)-(2) The government’s position is that measures to address greenhouse gas emissions are best undertaken at the national level. It is concerned by the lack of action from the federal government on this issue. As a result of that lack of action, this government has undertaken a number of steps to address the state’s greenhouse emissions while at the same time ensuring continued economic growth. In September 2004, the government released the “Western Australian Greenhouse Strategy”, which comprehensively outlined a strategic response to climate change. It referred to government leadership, emissions reporting, sequestration and abatement. The government also commissioned the greenhouse and energy task force to advise it on appropriate emissions targets for 2050 and the policies and strategies to achieve these. The task force will report in December 2006. Business and other key stakeholders have been and will continue to be actively consulted through the National Emissions Trading Taskforce consultation process. Western Australia, along with the other states and territories, is engaged in that process. The government has set a target of six per cent of electricity sold on the main electricity grid to come from renewable sources by 2010. A renewable strategy is being developed, including a target for 2020. A range of potential targets is being considered.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: There are some differences between the question asked and the question of which some notice was given. I hope this answer is adequate. (1)-(2) The government’s position is that measures to address greenhouse gas emissions are best undertaken at the national level. It is concerned by the lack of action from the federal government on this issue. As a result of that lack of action, this government has undertaken a number of steps to address the state’s greenhouse emissions while at the same time ensuring continued economic growth. In September 2004, the government released the “Western Australian Greenhouse Strategy”, which comprehensively outlined a strategic response to climate change. It referred to government leadership, emissions reporting, sequestration and abatement. The government also commissioned the greenhouse and energy task force to advise it on appropriate emissions targets for 2050 and the policies and strategies to achieve these. The task force will report in December 2006. Business and other key stakeholders have been and will continue to be actively consulted through the National Emissions Trading Taskforce consultation process. Western Australia, along with the other states and territories, is engaged in that process. The government has set a target of six per cent of electricity sold on the main electricity grid to come from renewable sources by 2010. A renewable strategy is being developed, including a target for 2020. A range of potential targets is being considered.
There are some differences between the question asked and the question of which some notice was given. I hope this answer is adequate. (1)-(2) The government’s position is that measures to address greenhouse gas emissions are best undertaken at the national level. It is concerned by the lack of action from the federal government on this issue. As a result of that lack of action, this government has undertaken a number of steps to address the state’s greenhouse emissions while at the same time ensuring continued economic growth. In September 2004, the government released the “Western Australian Greenhouse Strategy”, which comprehensively outlined a strategic response to climate change. It referred to government leadership, emissions reporting, sequestration and abatement. The government also commissioned the greenhouse and energy task force to advise it on appropriate emissions targets for 2050 and the policies and strategies to achieve these. The task force will report in December 2006. Business and other key stakeholders have been and will continue to be actively consulted through the National Emissions Trading Taskforce consultation process. Western Australia, along with the other states and territories, is engaged in that process. The government has set a target of six per cent of electricity sold on the main electricity grid to come from renewable sources by 2010. A renewable strategy is being developed, including a target for 2020. A range of potential targets is being considered.
(1)-(2) The government’s position is that measures to address greenhouse gas emissions are best undertaken at the national level. It is concerned by the lack of action from the federal government on this issue. As a result of that lack of action, this government has undertaken a number of steps to address the state’s greenhouse emissions while at the same time ensuring continued economic growth. In September 2004, the government released the “Western Australian Greenhouse Strategy”, which comprehensively outlined a strategic response to climate change. It referred to government leadership, emissions reporting, sequestration and abatement. The government also commissioned the greenhouse and energy task force to advise it on appropriate emissions targets for 2050 and the policies and strategies to achieve these. The task force will report in December 2006. Business and other key stakeholders have been and will continue to be actively consulted through the National Emissions Trading Taskforce consultation process. Western Australia, along with the other states and territories, is engaged in that process. The government has set a target of six per cent of electricity sold on the main electricity grid to come from renewable sources by 2010. A renewable strategy is being developed, including a target for 2020. A range of potential targets is being considered.

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