NEW OFFICE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE CREATED
Published Friday, 19 October, 2007 at 02:27 PM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
The Queensland Government’s commitment to addressing the potential impacts of climate change has been further emphasised with the creation of a new Office of Climate Change within the Environmental Protection Agency.
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said the new office would consolidate current State Government activities and future planning for this crucial social and economic issue.
“The creation of the portfolio has strengthened the Government’s capacity to lead Queensland’s climate change response,” Mr McNamara said.
“Sustainability is the great challenge of our times, and combating climate change is a key element of meeting that challenge.
“Our efforts in finding a way to live sustainably will determine the living standards not just of people now but all generations that will follow.
“The new Office of Climate Change will draw together the expertise of the Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence and climate change policy functions.
“The Office will lead the development of new climate change policy and programs, based on the best available science and information.
“This work will ensure that Queensland is well positioned to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that are driving climate change as well as preparing our communities to adapt to climate change.”
Mr McNamara said the Office will be headed by Greg Withers, a senior Queensland public servant with more than 15 years experience in public policy development and implementation.
Mr Withers was the principal author of the Queensland Government’s ClimateSmart 2050: Queensland’s Climate Change Strategy 2007, released earlier this year.
He has held Senior Executive Service positions across a range of Queensland Government agencies, including the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and Queensland Transport.
“The State Government has proclaimed its intention to meet the challenges of climate change, and a senior public servant of Mr Wither’s standing is the ideal person to lead the implementation within the bureaucracy,” Mr McNamara said.
“He is widely regarded as a strategic thinker, and that’s the sort of person we need in this new role.”
Mr Withers will be transferred at his current seniority level into the new position.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said the new office would consolidate current State Government activities and future planning for this crucial social and economic issue.
“The creation of the portfolio has strengthened the Government’s capacity to lead Queensland’s climate change response,” Mr McNamara said.
“Sustainability is the great challenge of our times, and combating climate change is a key element of meeting that challenge.
“Our efforts in finding a way to live sustainably will determine the living standards not just of people now but all generations that will follow.
“The new Office of Climate Change will draw together the expertise of the Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence and climate change policy functions.
“The Office will lead the development of new climate change policy and programs, based on the best available science and information.
“This work will ensure that Queensland is well positioned to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that are driving climate change as well as preparing our communities to adapt to climate change.”
Mr McNamara said the Office will be headed by Greg Withers, a senior Queensland public servant with more than 15 years experience in public policy development and implementation.
Mr Withers was the principal author of the Queensland Government’s ClimateSmart 2050: Queensland’s Climate Change Strategy 2007, released earlier this year.
He has held Senior Executive Service positions across a range of Queensland Government agencies, including the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and Queensland Transport.
“The State Government has proclaimed its intention to meet the challenges of climate change, and a senior public servant of Mr Wither’s standing is the ideal person to lead the implementation within the bureaucracy,” Mr McNamara said.
“He is widely regarded as a strategic thinker, and that’s the sort of person we need in this new role.”
Mr Withers will be transferred at his current seniority level into the new position.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004