Tasmanians now have the opportunity to help form the State Government’s climate change following the release of a new issues paper.

State Minister for Climate Change, Cassy O’Connor, urged Tasmanians to contribute to the Low Carbon Tasmania – Issues Paper, which outlines major actions taken in nine key sectors to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Ms O’Connor said that the paper built on the Climate Change Adaptation Issues Paper released by the State Government last year.

The Low Carbon Tasmania – Issues Paper is the most significant State-based climate change policy document to go out for consultation Tasmania has developed to date,” Ms O’Connor said.

“In 2010, Tasmania’s emissions were 7.6 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2-e), but to reach our 2050 target of 60% below 1990 levels we must reach 4.6 Mt CO2-e.

“While this might be a small contribution nationally, Tasmanians are among the highest per capita emitters in the world, well above Germany, the United Kingdom, and China, and we have a moral responsibility to do our fair share towards a safe climate.

The Low Carbon Tasmania - Issues Paper proposes emission reduction measures and climate change response initiatives in nine key sectors, between now and 2020.

“Feedback from the consultation process will inform a 2020 Climate Change Strategy for release later in the year,” Ms O’Connor said.

The Low Carbon Tasmania – Issues Paper is available from the Tasmanian Climate Change Office website atwww.climatechange.tas.gov.au or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Submissions can be sent electronically to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or mailed to the Tasmanian Climate Change Office, Department of Premier and Cabinet, GPO Box 123, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001.

Written feedback on the Issues Paper must be received by 5pm on 7 June 2013.