The Round Table is pleased to have participated in the update of this plan. Responding to climate change, maintaining the health of our native species, and reducing our ecological footprint will all be crucial to a sustainable future for South Australia. We congratulate the Government for committing to these important, and ambitious targets. The significant challenge ahead of us now is to take action to meet the targets.
Katherine Wells
Chair, Premier's Round Table on Sustainability
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Objective 3 - Attaining Sustainability
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BIODIVERSITY
Over many decades, through land clearing, inappropriate development and release of contaminants, our natural environment has been degraded. The results have been loss of species, the loss of natural habitats for both animals and plants, erosion of valuable agricultural land and pollution of our marine environment. The state’s biodiversity provides us with the resources we need to live; it must be protected.
T3.1 Lose no species: lose no known native species as a result of human impacts.
T3.2 Land biodiversity: by 2010 have five well-established biodiversity corridors aimed at maximising ecological outcomes particularly in the face of climate change.
T3.3 Soil protection: by 2014, achieve a 20% increase in South Australia’s agricultural cropping land that is adequately protected from erosion.
T3.4 Marine biodiversity: by 2010 create 19 marine parks aimed at maximising ecological outcomes.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate change and global warming are amongst the greatest challenges faced by humanity today. Greenhouse gas emissions from human activities – most notably the burning of fossil fuels – have increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere far beyond the levels we have historically experienced – an increase of more than 40% since the beginning of the industrial age. South Australia is recognised as a leader both nationally and internationally in addressing climate change, but more must be done to counter this threat.
T3.5 Greenhouse gas emissions reduction: achieve the Kyoto target by limiting the state’s greenhouse gas emissions to 108% of 1990 levels during 2008-2012, as a first step towards reducing emissions by 60% (to 40% of 1990 levels) by 2050.
T3.6 Use of public transport: increase the use of public transport to 10% of metropolitan weekday passenger vehicle kilometres travelled by 2018.
ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT
The ecological footprint of our community is a measure of our impact on the environment – how much our way of life affects productive land. South Australia’s ecological footprint is 7.0 global hectares per person; this compares favourably with the Australian average of 7.7. However, South Australia’s ecological footprint is considerably higher than the OECD’s average of 5.2 and the world average of 2.2. To attain sustainability we must reduce our ecological footprint. This will involve more responsible consumption, innovation and new technology.
T3.7 Ecological footprint: Reduce South Australia’s ecological footprint by 30% by 2050.
T3.8 Zero waste: reduce waste to landfill by 25% by 2014.
WATER
The sustainable use of water is one of our most urgent resource challenges. While much has been done to protect our water resources, without further innovation and improved management practices, our economy, our health, and the quality of our environment will suffer. Of great importance is a healthy River Murray, which is essential to the future of our state.
T3.9 Sustainable water supply: South Australia’s water resources are managed within sustainable limits by 2018.
T3.10 River Murray – flows: increase environmental flows by 500GL in the River Murray by 2009 as a first step towards improving sustainability in the Murray-Darling Basin, with a longer-term target of 1500 GL by 2018.
T3.11 River Murray – salinity: South Australia maintains a positive balance on the Murray-Darling Basin Commission salinity register.
ENERGY
The stationary electricity sector accounts for about 50% of greenhouse gas emissions in Australia. This is because most of our electricity is supplied by coal-fired generators. To reduce these emissions, South Australia must generate more electricity using renewable energy. Although South Australia is a recognised national and international leader in the use of wind and solar power, we must ensure our future patterns of energy consumption become more sustainable.
T3.12 Renewable energy: support the development of renewable energy so that it comprises 20% of the state's electricity production and consumption by 2014.
T3.13 Energy efficiency – government buildings: improve the energy efficiency of government buildings by 25% from 2000-01 levels by 2014.
T3.14 Energy efficiency – dwellings: increase the energy efficiency of dwellings by 10% by 2014.
ABORIGINAL LANDS
South Australia’s Aborigines – the first South Australians – have a strong and special connection to the land. We must recognise Native Title rights and interests through indigenous land use agreements (ILUAs). The ILUA process can provide fair and balanced outcomes for the first South Australians as well as for pastoralists, farmers, miners, fishers and government.
T3.15 Aboriginal lands – access and management: resolve 75% of all native title claims by 2014. |
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