Services for Businesses

Tasmania

Potential Impacts and Costs of Climate Change in Tasmania

Premiers Blog - Climate Change

  • Tasmania is likely to experience moderate rises in temperatures with evaporation likely to increase in all areas except the west coast and associated highlands where small decreases are indicated.
  • Rainfall is likely to increase by 7 to 11 per cent in the west and central areas, and decrease by around 8 per cent in the northeast by 2040.
  • By 2030 in Launceston the annual average number of cold days below 0oC is likely to decrease from 35 to 16-30 days.
  • Sea level rises and frequent and severe storm surges are likely to result in inundation and erosion to Tasmania's coast.
  • Warmer temperatures and changing rainfall patterns would impact on water availability.
  • Dairy output is projected to decrease by around 8 per cent by 2030 and by 12.5 per cent by 2050.
  • Increases in extreme storm events are expected to cause more flash flooding affecting industry and infrastructure, including water, sewerage and stormwater, transport and communications, and may challenge emergency services. In low-lying coastal areas infrastructure is vulnerable to sea level rise and inundation.
  • The Southwest region of Tasmania is densely forested and holds some of the last temperate rainforests and oldest trees in the world. The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA) includes most of these forests and also alpine environments. Increased temperatures from climate change will diminish the extent of Tasmania's alpine area and reduce the habitats available for native species.
  • A 10-40 per cent reduction in snow cover projected by 2030 would result in a change in the dynamics of alpine communities and may lead to serious population declines of some species and loss of ecosystems.
  • The warming of sea surface temperatures, which is projected to be greatest off southeast Australia, is likely to affect the distribution of species with flow on effects to the broader marine ecosystem. Waters off the east coast of Tasmania have recorded an increase in temperature of more than 1oC since the 1940s.

Regulatory Landscape

It is anticipated that:

  • The new Climate Change (State Action) Act 2008 will help Tasmania respond to climate change by providing for the setting of a target for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the State as part of the national and international response to climate change, and also to promote a commitment to action in Tasmania.
  • Tasmania will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 60% by 2050 (from 11.5 million tones in 1990 to 4.6 in 2050). This reduction target has a flow on effect to all level of business.
  • Additional mandatory reporting will be introduced (as soon as 2009) to major businesses operating in Tasmania.
  • Interim targets will be determined in 2009. These new targets will be informed by a major 'wedges' analysis of the Tasmanian economy.
  • The Government will introduce minimum energy efficiency ratings for all new Government office buildings, including the new Royal Hobart Hospital and new Kingston Education Project.
  • Tasmania is committed to establish a national emissions trading scheme no later than 2010.
  • Tasmania can aspire to generate 100 percent of its electricity needs from renewable resources, and to become a net exporter of renewable and low-carbon electricity to the fossil fuel-dominated national electricity market.
  • Climate Change Impact Statements will be integrated into Government processes by December 2008.
  • Tasmania is committed to meet the Kyoto target (108% of 1990 levels) by 2012