ALEC is calling on the Northern Territory Government to lead on delivering ambitious and effective climate change action including:
- A net zero emissions by 2050 emissions target (mitigation)
- Plans for climate resilient communities (adaptation)
1. Legislate a Northern Territory Climate Change Act
- establish a long-term emissions reduction target of net zero by 2050
- introduce a new set of policy objectives and an updated set of guiding principles to embed climate change in government decision making
- the NT Government will develop a Climate Change Strategy every five years, which will set out how Northern Territory will meet its targets and adapt to the impacts of climate change (from 2020)
- develop Adaptation Action Plans for key systems and communities that are either vulnerable to the impacts of climate change or essential to ensure Northern Territory is prepared (from 2020)
- establish a system to reduce emissions in the government sector and across the economy
- establish a system of periodic reporting to provide transparency, accountability and ensure the community remains informed.
(adapted from the Victorian Climate Change Act 2017 - https://www.climatechange.vic.gov.au/legislation/climate-change-act-2017)
2. Develop a NT Climate Change Strategy
Overarching strategy to ensure an equitable and planned decarbonisation of the NT economy
- no new fossil fuel projects or infrastructure policy
- reduce emissions in all sectors (agriculture, mining, transport etc)
- develop opportunities for carbon sequestration including stronger controls for land clearing
- plan for equitable transitioning of workforce to a low carbon economy
3. Develop Climate Action Plans
- Develop Top End, Gulf Savannah, Barkly & Arid Lands Regional Adaptation Action plans (as per Territory NRM Plan)
- Incorporate community engagement, vulnerability/risk assessments
- Build local resilience
Repowering the NT (Renewable Energy Action Plan)
- 100% renewable energy target by 2030
- develop energy efficiency and demand management programs for residential and commercial sectors
- invest in world leading remote power systems
Land (and Sea) Based Carbon Reduction Plan
- develop carbon methodology for the desert regions
- investigate suitability of carbon crops eg. algae, hemp
- develop methane reduction strategies for the pastoral industry
- enhance use of mosaic burning for carbon reduction
Climate Smart Towns and City Plan
- incorporate climate strategy into the NT planning scheme
- mandate for local governments to reduce emissions eg landfill
- ensuring liveability of NT towns