CLIMATE CHANGE SUMMIT

The State Government will host a summit later this year focusing on how to tackle climate change.

“This will be a comprehensive summit bringing together experts, policy-makers, business and industry representatives, green groups and a whole range of people to really focus on the challenge that climate change will confront us with, and to look at ways that we can tackle it,’’ he said.

“This week governments across Australia are focusing on terrorism, but climate change has been identified as just as significant a threat to our lives. South Australia is doing something about it – this State Government is acting by developing our own climate change strategy to guide how we will deal with climate change.

A wide variety of interest groups will be invited to attend the summit, as well as the Economic Development Board, Social Inclusion Board and Premier’s Roundtable on Sustainability.

Minister Hill said as well as developing a Greenhouse Strategy, and setting the targets of the Kyoto Protocol in South Australia’s Strategic Plan, the State Government had already introduced practical measures aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in South Australian homes.

“We have mandated greener hot water systems for all new homes from July next year with the aim of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. We are also moving towards renewable energy for our public buildings, including Parliament House, and our schools,’’ he said