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Green Queensland

Protecting our lifestyle and environment

Queensland enjoys a wealth of natural riches – a warm climate, beautiful beaches, parks, rivers, reefs and rainforests and stunning outback scenery – that support our relaxed lifestyle.

Our unique natural environment has more native plants and animals than anywhere else in Australia. And almost half the species living in Queensland are found nowhere else in the world.

But our environment and lifestyles are under increasing pressure from our growing population and climate change.

Current and future challenges

Queensland has the highest greenhouse gases emissions per person than any other Australian state, due to a:

dependence on coal-fired energy to power homes and businesses
relatively large, energy-intensive industry base
dependence on road transport to get around our vast state.

The Queensland Government is taking action to reduce our state's carbon footprint.

We've signed up to doing our part to achieve a 60% reduction in national greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Carbon pollution from our largest industry emitters will be reduced through climate change policies being developed at the national level.

We're also working to reduce emissions in the energy sector by deploying renewable technologies (solar, wind, geothermal) and exploring low-emission technologies (carbon capture and storage).

Every action helps

Although household contributions to our total emissions are only small, the average Queenslander's emissions are well above the rest of the world.

We all need to be aware of where we can save greenhouse gas emissions. Small changes to reduce our electricity and fuel use and waste consumption will make a big difference in the long-term.

Protecting our natural landscapes

Native plants and animals are at risk as a result of climate change.

National Parks and other protected areas play an important role in protecting areas of high biodiversity and unique or at risk species and ecosystems.

Green spaces in the cities and suburbs

We must retain the green spaces between neighbourhoods and regions that create a natural break in our built environment.

Planning measures are in place to ensure there is green space set aside in growth areas of Queensland. New recreational areas and trails are also being created so Queenslanders can make the most of our great lifestyle.