Environment Minister Eva Lawler claims 2030 emissions target is ‘on track’

The government has tabled its annual report into climate change in the Northern Territory, saying the NT needs to brace for hotter temperatures.

THE Territory is on track to reduce its carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2030, the government has revealed but the Environment Minister has warned of hotter conditions and less predictable weather in years to come.

Environment Minister Eva Lawler on Wednesday tabled the government’s annual report into its climate change response.

The report highlighted consultation would begin on a strategy to “increase (the Territory’s) preparedness to respond and adapt to climate change” in late 2021.

Speaking in parliament, Ms Lawler said the NT needed to move quickly to reduce its emissions in line with about 130 other countries but also acknowledged it was too late to prevent some warming.

Environment Minister Eva Lawler said the globe would see 1.5C warming if emissions remained the same. Picture Glenn Campbell

“At the current rate of greenhouse gas emissions, global warming is anticipated to reach 1.5 degrees Celsius between 2030 and 2040,” she said.

“It’s important to be realistic about the challenge of achieving net zero emissions target, particularly when coupled with the imperative to grow the Territory economy.”

Ms Lawler said the NT was on track to reach its target of a 50 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030.

However, the Opposition has warned the Territory still has by far the highest per capita emissions in the country and urged the government to do more.

The CLP also flagged lowering the cost of buying and registering electric vehicles, expanding fast-charging points for EVs and replacing the government’s vehicle fleet with EVs.

Opposition climate change spokesman Josh Burgoyne said the opposition acknowledged the reality and science of climate change and urged the government to do more to encourage uptake of electric vehicles.

Mr Burgoyne expressed concern about the Territory’s high rates of per capita emissions according to 2019 emissions data.

“What Territorians need to know is the Territory under this Labor Government has more than double the per capita emissions of any other jurisdiction in the country,” he said.

“It also shows a considerable increase in Territory emissions to 2019 over the previous few years.”

Mr Burgoyne said the NT was well placed to incentivise purchasing electric vehicles and placing charging stations along the Stuart Hwy.

“Key actions include reducing registration stamp duty fees for electric vehicles from mid 2022, developing a grant program for home, workplace and public electric vehicle charges, (and) facilitating the installation of more electric vehicle charging stations,” he said.