Published Thursday, 20 December, 2007 at 01:00 PM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
McNamara seals Bali Agreements for Queensland
Queensland Minister for Climate Change, Sustainability and Innovation can't claim credit for the Bali Roadmap, but he did achieve a range of outcomes for Queensland through his attendance at the United Nations Climate Change Conference Bali last week.
"On my first evening in Bali, I managed to secure the first Australian Clean Energy Conference to Queensland," Mr McNamara said.
"The conference will be held in November 2008 and is expected to attract up to 600 delegates with wide ranging interests from energy efficiency and emerging renewable energy technologies.
"By hosting this conference, the Queensland Government will be sending a clear signal to the clean energy market that Queensland is open for clean energy business.
"The Queensland Government wants to ensure that our State secures its share of investments that will flow into renewable energy as a result of Kevin Rudd's national renewable energy target," he said.
Mr McNamara also had a productive meeting with the President of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Mr Nobua Tanaka.
"Mr Nobuo Tanaka emphasised the need for urgent action on climate change," said Mr McNamara.
"IEA data indicates that in 2005, Co2 emissions from the energy sector were 30 per cent above 1990 levels, and growing at three percent a year.
"It also indicates that if the world continues in a business as usual model, there will be 57 per cent growth in Co2 emissions by 2030, which would lock in a temperature increase of up to 6 degrees," he said.
Mr McNamara said the IEA had begun work on global energy efficiency measures that could save almost 6 gigatonnes of Co2 by 2030 - that is 20 per cent of today's emissions.
"I was delighted that Mr Tanaka indicated that he would like to come to Queensland to be a keynote speaker at the Clean Energy Conference next year.
"The value of attending these international conferences is that you have the highest calibre scientists and policy makers in one place.
"The leaders in creating new green collar jobs and moving their economy to a low carbon future are clearly the Californians.
"The Californians have already committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 per cent by 2020, and then by 80 per cent by 2050.
"They are predicting huge economic benefits for early adopters as they move to a low carbon economy.
Minister McNamara met with the Chairman of the Californian Air Resources Board Minister Mary Nichols and has agreed to establish a staff exchange program to commence in 2008.
"We have much to learn from their relentless innovation, and I was delighted to establish a staff exchange program.
"Attending such a conference you learn a lot about the huge challenge we face to get on top of this problem.
"But you also catch a glimpse of how much there is to be gained. The low carbon world will be full of new employment opportunities, there will be cleaner air, our cars and housing will be more suited to the biosphere we live in.
"As the world creates a new international framework to bring emission reductions in line with what the science tells us is needed over the next two years, we can gain much from those who are leading the way, forging the track to a cleaner, greener, world."
Media contact: Emma Parnell 3336 8002
"On my first evening in Bali, I managed to secure the first Australian Clean Energy Conference to Queensland," Mr McNamara said.
"The conference will be held in November 2008 and is expected to attract up to 600 delegates with wide ranging interests from energy efficiency and emerging renewable energy technologies.
"By hosting this conference, the Queensland Government will be sending a clear signal to the clean energy market that Queensland is open for clean energy business.
"The Queensland Government wants to ensure that our State secures its share of investments that will flow into renewable energy as a result of Kevin Rudd's national renewable energy target," he said.
Mr McNamara also had a productive meeting with the President of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Mr Nobua Tanaka.
"Mr Nobuo Tanaka emphasised the need for urgent action on climate change," said Mr McNamara.
"IEA data indicates that in 2005, Co2 emissions from the energy sector were 30 per cent above 1990 levels, and growing at three percent a year.
"It also indicates that if the world continues in a business as usual model, there will be 57 per cent growth in Co2 emissions by 2030, which would lock in a temperature increase of up to 6 degrees," he said.
Mr McNamara said the IEA had begun work on global energy efficiency measures that could save almost 6 gigatonnes of Co2 by 2030 - that is 20 per cent of today's emissions.
"I was delighted that Mr Tanaka indicated that he would like to come to Queensland to be a keynote speaker at the Clean Energy Conference next year.
"The value of attending these international conferences is that you have the highest calibre scientists and policy makers in one place.
"The leaders in creating new green collar jobs and moving their economy to a low carbon future are clearly the Californians.
"The Californians have already committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 per cent by 2020, and then by 80 per cent by 2050.
"They are predicting huge economic benefits for early adopters as they move to a low carbon economy.
Minister McNamara met with the Chairman of the Californian Air Resources Board Minister Mary Nichols and has agreed to establish a staff exchange program to commence in 2008.
"We have much to learn from their relentless innovation, and I was delighted to establish a staff exchange program.
"Attending such a conference you learn a lot about the huge challenge we face to get on top of this problem.
"But you also catch a glimpse of how much there is to be gained. The low carbon world will be full of new employment opportunities, there will be cleaner air, our cars and housing will be more suited to the biosphere we live in.
"As the world creates a new international framework to bring emission reductions in line with what the science tells us is needed over the next two years, we can gain much from those who are leading the way, forging the track to a cleaner, greener, world."
Media contact: Emma Parnell 3336 8002