The South Australian Government Climate Change Action Plan 2021–2025 (Action Plan) describes government-led objectives and actions to help to build a strong, climate smart economy, further reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support South Australia to adapt to a changing climate.
The Action Plan was developed with input from the Premier’s Climate Change Council, and other experts including renowned climate economist Professor Ross Garnaut.
Implementation of the Action Plan will deliver the Directions for a Climate Smart South Australia that was released in December 2019, and drive further progress towards state-wide goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50% by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
By implementing the Plan, the government is expecting to grow climate smart and low emissions industries, create new jobs and attract additional investment, particularly to regional areas.
Focus areas and objectives at a glance
The Action Plan describes 68 government–led actions addressing key objectives in seven focus areas. A summary of the focus areas and objectives is outlined below.
Implementation
The South Australian government will work with industries, businesses, communities, local government and the Australian Government to implement the Action Plan and encourage action beyond the role of government.
The South Australian government will also remain open to new opportunities and actions arising from stakeholder engagement, innovation, advances in technology, and changing market demands.
The Premier’s Climate Change Council, an independent advisory body to the South Australian government, will assist in monitoring and reviewing implementation.
The state’s progress in reducing emissions will be measured and publicly reported drawing from data produced by the Australian Government’s national greenhouse gas inventory.
Investment
The government’s 2020-21 budget builds on the already significant investment in climate change action. New funding linked to the government’s action plan that was announced in the budget includes:
- increasing funding for the home battery scheme from $100 million to $118 million
- $60 million for energy efficiency measures for government buildings over 2 years
- $18.3 million to support the roll out of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and to support fast-charging
- $37 million to upgrade the Port Bonython jetty to support hydrogen and ammonia export
- $8.5 million for new solar photovoltaic and battery storage capacity at the Central Power House in Umuwa
- $19.8 million contribution to SA Water’s new desalination plant on Kangaroo Island
- an additional $28 million for bushfire management.
Some key initiatives
The Action Plan integrates a number of important initiatives including:
Keep up-to-date on climate change action
Keep up to date on South Australian Government actions to help to build a strong, climate smart economy, further reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support South Australia to adapt to a changing climate.
