Electric trains, trams, cycle/ walking network, technology in strategy for low-carbon economy
The strategy for reducing South Australia’s carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 was spelt out in 2016 by the state government.
The report, South Australian Climate Change Strategy, Pathways to a Low Carbon Economy 2015-2050, includes more than 30 initiatives in six themes:
- South Australia leading on climate change,
- Towards net zero emissions,
- Carbon-neutral Adelaide,
- A resilient, competitive low-carbon economy,
- Creating a prosperous and resilient state, and
- Building community capacity to act.
These themes are bold leadership strategies but they also rest on economic hopes of attracting the world’s industries and research bodies to come to South Australia to test the low-carbon technologies.
The government strategy involves amending the Climate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Act 2007 to include the net zero emissions by 2050 target. This and Carbon Neutral Adelaide target will also be embedded into key policy documents.
A Low Carbon Investment Plan will target $10 billion of investment in low carbon energy generation by 2025. Expressions of interest are being sought to reduce government fleet vehicle emissions, with a focus on electric and hybrid vehicles.
Also under the net zero emissions theme are hopes to completely electrify the metropolitan rail network, reintroduce more trams within the CBD and inner metro routes, and extending and improving cycling and walking networks.
