2026-03-17
Having taken no climate policies to the last election, Canberrans are rightly left wondering what exactly is going on inside ACT Labor. Did the dog eat their climate homework? Or are they only now realising the assignment was due and frantically cramming the night before?
Today, Leader of the ACT Greens and Greens Climate Spokesperson, Shane Rattenbury, will lend Labor a helping hand, moving a motion in the ACT Legislative Assembly with a few helpful hints about what a climate strategy should actually look like, ahead of the government finally handing in its assignment.
“Canberra has a proud record of climate action because of the Greens, from being the first place in Australia to reach 100 per cent renewable electricity to setting some of the strongest emissions targets in the country. But we cannot rest on past achievements: the next phase of climate action needs to do a lot, and quickly”, said Mr Rattenbury.
“Canberrans care deeply about climate action and expect their government to keep leading. With climate impacts like extreme heat, bushfire risk and severe weather getting worse, the Territory needs a strong strategy to guide the next decade of emissions reduction and climate adaptation—not casual indifference from Labor.
“This motion offers the Government a few helpful hints as they finish their climate strategy. Because if Labor has misplaced the instructions, the Greens are willing to step-in to provide a refresher on what a climate strategy should look like.
“Right now, it’s clear that tackling climate change requires the full weight of government, every minister, every department, working together on comprehensive and evidence-based solutions to this all-encompassing problem.
“Over the past few months, the Greens have been out in the community, hosting town halls and consultation sessions with stakeholders and everyday Canberrans who are eager to take action on climate change, and eager to push the government to do better.
“From these conversations, it’s become clear the next phase of climate action must not be a challenge for individuals and households alone. Governments and industry need to change big systems to make it easy for our community to cut emissions and live a good life amid climate change impacts.
“That means tackling one of our biggest sources of emissions, transport, by accelerating the shift away from petrol cars, expanding electric vehicle charging, and making it easier for people to get around by public transport, walking and cycling.
“It also means planning properly for the phase-out of fossil fuel gas, investing in climate adaptation and disaster readiness, and being honest about the ACT’s broader climate footprint, including all the indirect causes of polluting greenhouse gas emissions.
“Right now, just like in any big group assignment, the different parts of government need to actually work together. Climate, planning, transport, environment, and treasury all need to be pulling in the same direction and delivering real results.
“That’s what this strategy should achieve. It’s what it must achieve. And it’s exactly what it will need to achieve if we want to secure a future for Canberrans and for the planet.
“Ultimately, the Greens are optimistic of achieving government support for the motion and laying the groundwork to collaborate to get better outcomes. This includes Greens calls to consider substantial funding increases to environment groups and low-income households to enable them to undertake climate action and cut their cost of living."