Queensland is taking new steps on its path to sustainable energy and climate management.

The state’s new set of legislation is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and bolstering renewable energy initiatives, having garnered cross-party support for specific milestones.

The state has set forth a series of escalating targets for reducing emissions from 2005 levels:

Queensland has already surpassed its target for 30 per cent emissions reduction by 2030, hitting it eight years ahead of schedule with a 35 per cent reduction as of 2022.

It is now aiming for a 75 per cent reduction by 2035, which will require some aggressive climate action, and hopes to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

While the emissions reduction goals are central to the legislation, the renewable energy targets specify the pathway for the state’s energy sector transformation:

The government wants the state to run on 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030, focusing on solar and wind as primary contributors, before hitting 70 per cent by 2032 and 80 per cent by 2035.

In support of these targets, new legislation outlines several strategic initiatives.

These include the state’s Renewable Energy Zone framework, which was established to enhance the integration of renewable power sources into the grid by 2035, by facilitating the connection of significant wind and solar generation capacity.

It has also mandated the public ownership of energy assets, with a new law requiring 100 per cent state ownership of transmission and deep storage assets, and at least 54 per cent ownership in generation assets.

With $150 million allocated to support workers transitioning from traditional coal-fired power stations, the state says it is creating a system to mitigate the social impact of the shift towards renewable energy.

Additionally, new legislation introduces an Australian-first mandatory code of conduct for renewable energy projects. 

This code mandates that developers engage proactively with local communities, prioritising local employment and ensuring that the benefits of renewable investments are felt at the community level.

“This nation-leading code will put communities firmly at the forefront of the energy transition… ensuring the transition benefits all Queenslanders, we’re ensuring local communities reap the reward by making social licence a race to the top,” the state’s energy minister Mick de Brenni says.