Published Tuesday, 11 December, 2007 at 03:00 PM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Premier Announces New Climate Change Council
Ms Bligh said the 16 person advisory panel would ensure Queensland’s efforts in addressing climate change were informed by the best available knowledge and experience.
“I am thrilled that the Dr Flannery – the 2007 Australian of the Year - will be joining us on the Council,” Ms Bligh said.
“He is a world renowned author on environmental and conservation issues and he has made an enormous contribution to the debate on climate change.
“He is at the forefront of new thinking on climate change and I am sure he will be able to provide us with valuable advice on mitigating and adapting to this global problem.”
Ms Bligh said Dr Flannery will be joined on the Council by other notables such as the President of the Australian Conservation Foundation Professor Ian Lowe and the CEO of the Clean Energy Council, Dominique La Fontaine.
“I will Chair this Council and Deputy Chair will be the Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara,” she said.
“Climate change is a serious issue that demands serious action.
“It is a global problem that will affect every Queensland community, region and business.
“Our Government has already responded with some key strategies and initiatives, including ending broadscale clearing of native vegetation, the ClimateSmart 2050 strategy and the Climate Smart Adaptation Action Plan.
“Yesterday we also announced three major climate change initiatives targeting government use of planes, buildings and automobiles. We expect these three initiatives alone will reduce total carbon dioxide emissions by 314,000 tonnes a year by 2017.
“However we cannot rest on our laurels and more can be done especially in the area of mitigating emissions and preparing Queensland for the inevitable effects of climate change.
“Through this Council, we will work collaboratively with the brightest and most experienced industry practitioners, community members and experts on climate change.”
Ms Bligh said the Council will also provide guidance on allocation of funding from the Queensland Climate Change Fund. The Fund is an initiative of ClimateSmart 2050 and the initial investment of $430 million from the sale of government owned assets will provide ongoing annual funding of approximately $30 million per year.
She said the Council is expected to meet for the first time early in the New Year following the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali this month.
Full list of Climate Change Council members listed below:
|
Name |
Position |
Relevant role/s and expertise |
|
Ms Anna Bligh MP |
Chair |
·Premier of Queensland |
|
Mr Andrew McNamara MP |
Deputy Chair |
·Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation |
|
Dr Tim Flannery |
Member |
·Australian of the Year 2007 ·Director, South Australian Museum ·Published author on Australian environmental, conservation and climate change issues |
|
Professor Ian Lowe |
Member |
·Emeritus Professor, Griffith University ·President, Australian Conservation Foundation ·Fellow, Queensland Academy of the Arts and Sciences ·Previous referee for the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) |
|
Ms Dominique La Fontaine |
Member |
·Chief Executive Officer, Clean Energy Council (formerly the Business Council for Sustainable Energy) ·Treasurer, Global Wind Energy Council |
|
Ms Sam Mostyn |
Member |
·Advisor, Insurance Australia Group (IAG) ·Member, New South Wales Premier’s Greenhouse Advisory Panel |
|
Ms Fiona Wain |
Member |
·Chief Executive Officer, Environment Business Australia ·Chair, Business and Sustainability Summits ·National and international spokesperson on the sustainable industry and the environment |
|
Councillor Tony Mooney |
Member |
·Mayor, Townsville City Council ·President, Urban Local Government Association of Queensland ·Member, Australian Institute of Company Directors. |
|
Mr Ross Willims |
Member |
·Vice President Commercial Relations, BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) ·Member, Premier’s Business Round Table ·Member, Clean Coal Council |
|
Mr Grant King |
Member |
·Managing Director, Origin Energy ·Member, Australian Business Round Table on Climate Change |
|
Mr Chris O’Connell |
Member |
·General Manager, Network Ten Brisbane ·Appointed to coordinate Network Ten’s response to climate change |
|
Ms Molly Harris Olsen |
Member |
·Director, Eco Futures Pty Ltd ·Director, Australia Institute ·Forum Convenor, 8th National Business Leaders Forum on Sustainable Development ·Former environment advisor to US President Bill Clinton |
|
Mr Jim McKnoulty |
Member |
·Chairman, Conics Limited ·Member, Faculty Advisory Committee of the School of Built Environment and Engineering, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) ·Adjunct Professor, QUT ·Founding President, Australian Green Development Forum ·Winner, Premier’s Award for Leadership in Business Sustainability (Queensland) ·Finalist, 2004 Prime Minister’s Environmentalist of the Year Awards |
|
Professor Chris Cocklin |
Member |
·Pro-Vice Chancellor, Faculty of Science, Engineering and IT, James Cook University ·Lead author and Joint 2007 Nobel Prize Winner, International Panel on Climate Change 2004 report |
|
Mr Peter Cosier |
Member |
·Member of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists ·Director, Cosier Environmental Planning Pty Ltd |
|
Mr Peter Kenny |
Member |
·General President AGFORCE |
Further inquiries: Premiers Office (07) 3224 4500