Published Friday, 01 June, 2007 at 11:24 AM
Minister for Environment and Multiculturalism
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
Environment Ministers from Australia and New Zealand offset travel for meeting in Cairns
State and Territory Environment Ministers from Australia and New Zealand attending this weekend’s Environment Protection and Heritage Council meeting in Cairns will have carbon offsets purchased on their behalf by the EPA for air travel-related emissions.
Queensland Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said the initiative was a small first step toward a wider carbon neutral initiative that Environment Ministers would consider at the meeting.
She said the EPA had purchased accredited offsets from the ‘Easy Being Green’ program on behalf of the Ministers and their staff, which involve the installation of energy efficient light globes and associated community education and action campaigns about climate change.
Ms Nelson-Carr said that hosting the meeting of Ministers in Cairns provided an important opportunity for Queensland to showcase some of the unique environment in the Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reef region.
“During their visit to Cairns, a number of Minister’s will visit the World Heritage Wet Tropics Rainforest via the Skyrail,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“The Ministerial Council meeting will consider key environmental priorities relating to climate change, waste management, air quality, chemical management, nationally protected areas and heritage conservation.
“One of the key initiatives being discussed is the development of nationally consistent guidelines for the environmental assessment and regulation of carbon dioxide capture and geological storage.
“The Queensland Government has taken a lead role in driving research and development of clean coal in response to climate change,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“However, we recognise that effective environmental assessment and regulation of carbon dioxide capture and storage is essential for gaining community acceptance of this technology.”
Council members include Environment and Heritage Ministers from the Commonwealth, States and Territories and New Zealand.
The Council meeting will be held at the Hilton Hotel in Cairns on Saturday 2 June.
Media contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004 or Lisa Gilby 3336 8002
Queensland Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said the initiative was a small first step toward a wider carbon neutral initiative that Environment Ministers would consider at the meeting.
She said the EPA had purchased accredited offsets from the ‘Easy Being Green’ program on behalf of the Ministers and their staff, which involve the installation of energy efficient light globes and associated community education and action campaigns about climate change.
Ms Nelson-Carr said that hosting the meeting of Ministers in Cairns provided an important opportunity for Queensland to showcase some of the unique environment in the Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reef region.
“During their visit to Cairns, a number of Minister’s will visit the World Heritage Wet Tropics Rainforest via the Skyrail,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“The Ministerial Council meeting will consider key environmental priorities relating to climate change, waste management, air quality, chemical management, nationally protected areas and heritage conservation.
“One of the key initiatives being discussed is the development of nationally consistent guidelines for the environmental assessment and regulation of carbon dioxide capture and geological storage.
“The Queensland Government has taken a lead role in driving research and development of clean coal in response to climate change,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“However, we recognise that effective environmental assessment and regulation of carbon dioxide capture and storage is essential for gaining community acceptance of this technology.”
Council members include Environment and Heritage Ministers from the Commonwealth, States and Territories and New Zealand.
The Council meeting will be held at the Hilton Hotel in Cairns on Saturday 2 June.
Media contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004 or Lisa Gilby 3336 8002