Clean Economy Jobs Bill 2024

An Act to provide for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in Queensland by stating emissions reduction targets and for related purposes

1Short title

This Act may be cited as the Clean Economy Jobs Act 2024.

2Main purpose of Act

The main purpose of this Act is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Queensland by stating emissions reduction targets.

3Act binds all persons

This Act binds all persons, including the State.

4Definitions

The dictionary in schedule 1 defines particular words used in this Act.

5Emissions reduction targets

(1)The emissions reduction targets are that—

(a)by 30 June 2030, net greenhouse gas emissions in Queensland are reduced to an amount that is at least 30% below the net greenhouse gas emissions in Queensland for 2005; and

(b)by 30 June 2035, net greenhouse gas emissions in Queensland are reduced to an amount that is at least 75% below the net greenhouse gas emissions in Queensland for 2005; and

(c)by 30 June 2050, net greenhouse gas emissions in Queensland are reduced to zero (the 2050 net zero emissions target).

(2)The emissions reduction targets include the 2040 interim target and the 2045 interim target decided under section 6 by the Minister.

6Deciding interim targets

(1)The Minister must decide—

(a)a target for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions in Queensland for 2040 (the 2040 interim target); and

(b)a target for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions in Queensland for 2045 (the 2045 interim target).

(2)Each interim target must be expressed as a percentage for the amount by which net greenhouse gas emissions in Queensland are to be reduced below the net greenhouse gas emissions in Queensland for 2005.

(3)The Minister must decide—

(a)the 2040 interim target by 31 December 2030; and

(b)the 2045 interim target by 31 December 2035.

(4)In deciding each interim target, the Minister must consider the following matters—

(a)the progress made towards achieving other emissions reduction targets;

(b)the ways in which the interim target can contribute to achieving the 2050 net zero emissions target;

(c)the extent to which the interim target is reasonably achievable;

(d)the potential of the interim target to create employment opportunities, including in industries emerging as a result of actions being taken to achieve other emissions reduction targets or to address climate change;

(e)the economic, financial, social and environmental impact the interim target may have in Queensland, including any impact on communities, industries and rural and regional areas;

(f)any national and international policies relating to climate change;

(g)any relevant and current scientific knowledge relating to climate change;

(h)the views of community stakeholders, including Aboriginal peoples, Torres Strait Islander peoples and industry.

(5)Subsection (4) does not limit the matters the Minister may consider in deciding each interim target.

(6)As soon as practicable after deciding each interim target, the Minister must—

(a)table the target in the Legislative Assembly; and

(b)publish the target on the Queensland government website.

7Methodology for calculating net zero emissions

(1)The Minister must, by 31 December 2040, decide the methodology for calculating when net greenhouse gas emissions in Queensland are zero.

(2)The methodology must be consistent with data from the emissions inventories.

(3)The Minister must—

(a)table a document stating the methodology in the Legislative Assembly, with the 2040 annual progress statement; and

(b)publish the document on the Queensland government website.

(4)In this section—

2040 annual progress statement means the statement prepared under section 8 for the financial year ending on 30 June 2040.

8Annual progress statement

(1)The Minister must prepare a statement for each financial year that—

(a)states the progress made during the financial year towards achieving the emissions reduction targets; and

(b)states the methodology used to calculate the progress made; and

(c)states the progress made towards implementing any emissions reduction plans; and

(d)includes an analysis of data from the emissions inventories relating to greenhouse gas emissions in Queensland; and

(e)describes the measures taken by the State during the financial year to achieve the emissions reduction targets, including to—

(i)increase opportunities for employment in industries emerging as a result of actions being taken to achieve the emissions reduction targets or to address climate change; and

(ii)support employment in industries affected by actions being taken to achieve the emissions reduction targets or to address climate change; and

(f)describes the measures taken nationally by the Commonwealth government during the financial year to help achieve the emissions reduction targets, including any funding, policies and programs relating to Queensland.

(2)A statement may also include any other matter the Minister considers relevant to achieving the purpose of this Act.

(3)The Minister must table in the Legislative Assembly—

(a)the statement for the 2024–2025 financial year by 31 December 2025; and

(b)the statement for each later financial year by 31 December of the year in which the financial year ends.

(4)The Minister must publish each statement on the Queensland government website as soon as practicable after the statement is prepared.

(5)In this section—

2024–2025 financial year means the financial year ending on 30 June 2025.

9What is an emissions reduction plan

An emissions reduction plan, for a sector, is a plan stating how the sector can contribute to achieving the emissions reduction targets.

10Content of emissions reduction plans

(1)An emissions reduction plan for a sector must include the following information for the period to which the plan applies—

(a)an analysis of data in relation to greenhouse gas emissions produced, and expected to be produced, by the sector;

(b)an estimate of the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions produced by the sector;

(c)a description of actions to be undertaken by the State to reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by the sector to contribute to achieving the emissions reduction targets.

(2)Subsection (1) does not limit the matters that may be included in an emissions reduction plan.

11Program for making emissions reduction plans

(1)The Minister must prepare a program stating the following matters—

(a)the sectors for which emissions reduction plans must be made;

(b)the Ministers responsible for making the plans;

(c)the periods for which the plans are to have effect;

(d)the days by which the plans must be published on the Queensland government website.

(2)The Minister must publish the program on the Queensland government website by 31 December 2024.

(3)A day mentioned in subsection (1)(d), stated in the program the first time it is published, must be no later than 31 December 2025.

(4)The Minister must review the program at least every 5 years after the first time the program is published.

(5)If the Minister decides it is necessary to change the program, the Minister must publish on the Queensland government website—

(a)the amended program with the changes; and

(b)a notice describing the changes and stating the day on which the changes are made.

12Making emissions reduction plans

(1)This section applies if the program prepared under section 11 states a Minister is responsible for making an emissions reduction plan for a sector.

(2)The stated Minister must ensure the emissions reduction plan is published on the Queensland government website by the day for publication of the plan stated in the program.

13Establishment

The Minister must—

(a)establish an advisory panel called the Clean Economy Expert Panel (the panel); and

(b)decide the terms of reference for the panel.

14Functions

The functions of the panel are—

(a)to advise the Minister about achieving the emissions reduction targets and ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Queensland, in accordance with the terms of reference for the panel; and

(b)to perform any other function conferred on the panel under this Act.

15Expert advice

(1)The Minister may ask the panel for written advice by a particular day about any of the following matters—

(a)the progress made towards achieving the emissions reduction targets;

(b)the impact achieving the emissions reduction targets may have on local communities, including in relation to employment opportunities in industries emerging as a result of actions being taken to achieve the emissions reduction targets or to address climate change;

(c)an analysis of data from the emissions inventories relating to greenhouse gas emissions in Queensland;

(d)an analysis of the impact of new technology and market trends on achieving emissions reduction targets;

(e)the most efficient and cost-effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by sector;

(f)any measures the Commonwealth government is taking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions;

(g)any other matter the Minister considers relevant to achieving the purpose of this Act.

(2)The panel must provide written advice about a matter requested by the Minister by the day requested.

16Panel members

(1)The Minister must appoint at least 2, but no more than 5, persons as members of the panel.

(2)The Minister may appoint a person as a member of the panel only if the Minister is satisfied the person has qualifications or experience in 1 or more of the following areas—

(a)science or economics relating to climate change;

(b)the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions;

(c)the development of low-emission industries or employment in those industries;

(d)rural and regional development;

(e)another area the Minister considers relevant or necessary to support the panel in performing its functions.

(3)A person appointed under subsection (1) is appointed under this Act and not the Public Sector Act 2022.

(4)In addition to persons appointed under subsection (1), the chief scientist is, without further appointment, a member of the panel.

17Chairperson

The Minister must appoint a panel member to be the chairperson of the panel.

18Conditions of appointment

(1)A panel member may be paid the remuneration and allowances decided by the Governor in Council.

(2)However, the following persons are not entitled to be paid remuneration for holding office as a panel member—

(a)the chief scientist;

(b)another public service employee;

(c)a person who is also employed by, or appointed to, another entity established under an Act or under State authorisation for a public or State purpose.

(3)For matters not provided for by this Act, a panel member holds office on the terms and conditions decided by the Governor in Council.

19Term of appointment

(1)A panel member, other than the chief scientist, is appointed for the term, of not more than 5 years, stated in the member’s instrument of appointment.

(2)Subsection (1) does not prevent a panel member from being reappointed.

20Conduct of business

(1)The panel may conduct its business, including its meetings, in the way the Minister and the panel consider appropriate.

(2)However, the Minister must ensure the panel establishes a procedure for dealing with any conflict of interest arising when the panel conducts its business.

21Consultation with Premier and Treasurer

(1)The Minister must consult with the Premier and the Treasurer when acting under sections 6, 11 and 13.

(2)The Minister must consult with the Treasurer when acting under sections 7 and 8 and 15 to 17.

(3)Subsections (1) and (2) do not prevent the Minister consulting with the Premier, the Treasurer or any other Minister when acting under this Act.

22Regulation-making power

The Governor in Council may make regulations under this Act.

section 4

2050 net zero emissions target see section 5(c).

chief scientist means the public service employee appointed to the role known as the Queensland Chief Scientist.

emissions inventories means the database and reports, as amended from time to time—

(a)known as the emissions inventories for States and Territories in Australia’s national greenhouse accounts; and

(b)published by the Commonwealth department responsible for administering the Climate Change Act 2022 (Cwlth).

emissions reduction plan, for a sector, see section 9.

emissions reduction targets see section 5.

greenhouse gas emissions means emissions from any of the following gases—

(a)carbon dioxide;

(b)methane;

(c)nitrous oxide;

(d)sulfur hexafluoride;

(e)hydrofluorocarbons;

(f)perfluorocarbons;

(g)another gas prescribed by regulation.

net greenhouse gas emissions means the estimated amount of net greenhouse gas emissions stated in the emissions inventories.

panel see section 13(a).

panel member means a person who holds office under part 4, division 2 as a member of the panel.

Queensland government website means www.qld.gov.au.

sector means a sector of the economy.

Examples—

agriculture, energy, transport