Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability
The Honourable Kate Jones

Sunday, December 20, 2009

QUEENSLAND TO HOST PRESTIGIOUS GREENHOUSE 2011 CONFERENCE

Cairns will host Australia’s next major climate conference in 2011, Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones said today.

Ms Jones said the Bligh Government was proud to support the biennial event in 2011 with $100,000 plus in-kind assistance.

She said the Government would partner with the CSIRO to hold GREENHOUSE 2011 in April (3-8) at the Cairns Convention Centre.

“This conference was last held this year in Perth and is internationally recognised as Australia’s premier climate conference,” Ms Jones said.

“GREENHOUSE 2011 is expected to attract well over 600 international and national climate change experts.

“The conference will provide the opportunity to showcase not only Queensland and its iconic natural attractions, but also our leading edge climate science research, policies and programs.

“The invitation to the Queensland Government to co-host the 2011 conference with the CSIRO is recognition of the calibre and expertise of Queensland climate scientists and the quality of the research undertaken in Queensland through the Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence.

“Our playing host is fitting given Queensland is the most vulnerable of all the states to the impacts of climate change.

“We have a world famous Reef, treasured rain forests, a diverse landscape, a decentralised population, our traditional industries are carbon-intensive and 80 per cent of our population lives on the coastline.

“The invitation recognises that Queensland has a lot at stake.

“But it acknowledges the Bligh Government’s active commitment to managing the impacts of climate change in Queensland.

“This was cemented in August this year with the release of $196 million ClimateQ – the definitive climate change adaptation and mitigation strategy for Queensland.

“ClimateQ contains a wide range of programs supporting Queensland’s industry, business and households to reduce the impacts of climate change.

“ClimateQ also contains projections for Queensland’s regions of what they can expect in terms of changes in temperature, rainfall and evaporation and what impacts these changes are likely to have on their communities.

“The GREENHOUSE 2011 will present a timely opportunity for the Queensland Government to showcase the implementation and success of ClimateQ programs and initiatives in helping businesses and householders to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.”

Member for Cairns and Local Government, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Desley Boyle said holding this international event in Far North Queensland would enable delegates to experience the region and local businesses and residents would benefit.

“This is great news for Cairns and great news for delegates because there's nowhere better to hold this conference than Cairns,” Ms Boyle said.

“There are two World Heritage areas surrounding Cairns that are our key tourism drawcards and yet which may be irrevocably altered by climate change.

“We also have a major convention centre, easy air access and the Cairns Regional Council leading a sustainability agenda for the city.”

Ms Jones said the GREENHOUSE 2011 conference will also provide an opportunity for the centre’s scientists to showcase their achievements and learn from international leaders in the field.

“Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence scientists undertake research which underpins much of our climate change policy and planning,” she said.

“The Centre works with internationally recognised climate institutions including the CSIRO to ensure that Queensland is participating in and has access to the best available climate science.

“For example the Centre is currently undertaking global climate modelling experiments in partnership with the CSIRO which will inform the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fifth Assessment Report.

“By 2011 the Centre will be co-located with scientists from CSIRO’s Climate Adaptation Flagship at the Ecosciences Precinct at Boggo Road.

“The GREENHOUSE 2011 Conference will provide an opportunity to launch and showcase the facility and the collaborative research to be undertaken.”

For further information on the Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence, go to www.climatechange.qld.gov.au

20 December,  2009
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