NORTHERN TERRITORY CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE

TOWARDS 2050 Photo credit The Intyalheme Centre for Future Energy CONTENTS

4 MINISTER’S FOREWORD

5 THE SCIENCE

6 CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE

8 RENEWABLE ENERGY AND LOW-CARBON ECONOMIC GROWTH

12 REDUCING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

18 RESPONDING TO CLIMATE RISK AND ADAPTATION

20 DELIVERING THE CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE

22 REFERENCES NORTHERN TERRITORY CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE // TOWARDS 2050

Our Climate Change Response builds on the Climate Change Discussion Paper (Mitigation and MINISTER’S Adaptation Opportunities in the Northern Territory) and outlines our approach to addressing climate risk FOREWORD and harnessing new opportunities: 1 ) Continue to facilitate the growth of renewables to diversify and strengthen the Territory economy and enable new export industries; The Great Territory Lifestyle is unbeatable. From 2 ) Build on existing initiatives across the Northern our fishing, to our world-renown national parks, Territory to reduce greenhouse gas emissions Territorians know there is no better place to live. (mitigation) across all sectors, in line with a long- We also know that climate change threatens term aspirational target of net zero emissions by everything that makes the Territory Lifestyle Great. 2050; and We are experiencing it first-hand. Extreme weather 3 ) Proactively respond to the impacts of climate events are now a trend, rather than an anomaly1,2. change. We are living with extreme heat more frequently. Bushfires are starting earlier and are more intense.1 It recognises that all sectors in the Northern Territory Mangroves, which act as fish nurseries, are being need to be engaged to realise the benefits and that affected; we recently experienced mass mangrove the transition to a low-carbon economy needs to die-back, in part attributed to climate change3. be carefully managed to ensure ongoing economic CSIRO research has found that, without the Federal investment in the Northern Territory. Government managing the climate change risks The Northern Territory Government’s Climate to Kakadu, we could lose the majority of freshwater Change Response website will provide a platform for floodplains.4 Territorians to access information on how to engage, Climate change is already having an impact on access new opportunities and minimise climate Territorian’s health, our economy, and our natural risk. Importantly, reducing climate risk can deliver systems. Fortunately, taking action can deliver the co-benefits, including an increase in health and significant opportunities for Territorians. wellbeing and cost-savings. This Climate Change Response provides a long- The question is no longer: ‘Why should we act on term vision of where we need to go and how we climate change?’ The questions is now: ‘What will can harness the opportunities. A climate change we miss out on if we don’t?’ response is a responsible economic strategy. It The answer is: creating local jobs and new industries, recognises that as Australia and the world transition providing new opportunities for Territorians and to a low-carbon economy and respond to climate Territory businesses, and cost-effectively responding risk, those that don’t will be left behind. to climate risk. Most importantly, addressing climate Low-carbon economic growth is underpinned by change helps us to protect the things we value the the growth of a renewable energy industry and we most; the things that we can’t put a price on. are in the best position to capture this opportunity. Solar is the cheapest form of new electricity generation5 - 7 and in the Northern Territory, we have one of the best solar resources in the world8. We have a skilled workforce with experience delivering ambitious infrastructural projects and an energy The Hon. Eva Lawler MLA corridor for domestic and international renewable Minister for Climate Change energy export (our rail; pipeline; road; and port) to meet the increasing demand for renewable energy from our neighbours including Timor-Leste, Indonesia, and Singapore.

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THE SCIENCE A CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE IS A RESPONSIBLE ECONOMIC The science is clear. Global greenhouse gas (GHG) STRATEGY emissions need to decline rapidly to net zero2, 9, 10. Net zero is achieved when more GHG emissions are stored or sequestered (taken up by natural or engineered systems) than are released to the The Paris Agreement sent a clear market atmosphere11. signal — the global transition towards a low-carbon economy has already begun. A This is consistent with the Paris Agreement science- climate change response, and the resulting based target, signed by all countries, including transition to a low-carbon economy, manages Australia: Limit global warming to less than 2 °C and economic risk. This aligns with the advice and pursue efforts to limit warming to 1.5 °C (above pre- the activities of Australia’s leading economic 12 industrial levels). Within this threshold, the climate and financial organisations. system is likely to remain in a habitable and stable state.10, 13, 14 With current policies in place around the The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has world, we are currently on track for around 3.3 °C of warned of first-order economic effects to the warming by the end of the century15. economy, from both the physical impacts of climate change and the transition away The IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of from fossil fuels, highlighting that while the 2 1.5 °C , released in October, 2018, determined the transition to a low-carbon economy poses feasibility of limiting warming to 1.5 °C. The report challenges, it also presents opportunities and synthesised the best available evidence, citing over an early and orderly transition will result in 6,000 scientific references. Thousands of expert and lower costs.17 government reviewers contributed to the process16. Australian insurers, such as IAG, are diverting It determined that to stabilise the climate system equities holdings away from companies with within a safe threshold - for communities, natural the highest exposure to, and poor strategies systems, and all economic sectors – a transition to manage, climate risks. Credit rating to a low-carbon economy was required. While the agencies, such as Moody’s, are factoring technology and expertise required are available climate-related economic shocks into today, it will take time and substantial effort to their analyses and are assessing the ability strategically transition to a low-carbon economy. of companies to operate in a low-carbon The longer this is delayed, the costlier and more economy.18 difficult it will be. There is no doubt, a well-managed transition Importantly, this transition not only reduces risk, it in the Northern Territory can reduce exposure presents significant opportunities for Territorians. to economic risk, reduce costs, and unlock new opportunities. With our solar resources, our skills and expertise, and our infrastructure, the Northern Territory is an ideal place to invest in low-carbon economic growth.

5 CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE

Photo credit The Intyalheme Centre for Future Energy NORTHERN TERRITORY CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE // TOWARDS 2050

OVERARCHING AIM

As we move towards 2050, we will proactively respond to climate change risk, reduce greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors, and wherever possible, maximise short-term and long-term benefits for Territorians, our economy, and our natural systems.

ASPIRATIONAL EMISSIONS REDUCTION TARGET: NET ZERO EMISSIONS BY 2050

ASPIRATIONAL OBJECTIVES

Facilitate the long- Continue to build on Respond to climate term growth of the existing initiatives to risk and adapt to the renewable energy reduce greenhouse gas observed and projected industry to diversify emissions across the impacts. and strengthen the NT economy, in line with a economy (low-carbon long-term aspirational economic growth); target of net zero and enable new export emissions by 2050. industries underpinned by renewable energy.

POLICY DIRECTIONS

✔✔ We will diversify ✔✔ We will prioritise ✔✔ We will develop and strengthen the actions that are climate change risk Northern Territory considered win- response strategies economy through the win approaches, for Government long-term growth of in that they deliver services and assets renewable energy. meaningful emission and climate-sensitive reductions while also sectors. ✔✔ We will enable the delivering benefits to growth of new ✔✔ We will communicate Territorians and our export industries climate change risks natural systems. underpinned by and enable adaptation renewable energy, ✔✔ We will enable and across the Northern and become a key communicate new Territory. renewable energy opportunities to ✔✔ We will embed exporter to the Asia- reduce greenhouse climate change risk Pacific. gas emissions to all considerations across Territorians. Government decision- ✔✔ We will embed making. greenhouse gas emissions reduction considerations across Government decision- making.

7 FACILITATE THE LONG-TERM GROWTH OF THE RENEWABLE ENERGY INDUSTRY AND ENABLE LOW-CARBON ECONOMIC GROWTH NORTHERN TERRITORY CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE // TOWARDS 2050

We will diversify and strengthen the Northern Territory economy through the long-term growth of renewable energy. We will enable the growth of new export industries underpinned by renewable energy, and become a key renewable energy exporter to the Asia-Pacific.

RENEWABLE ENERGY INDUSTRY BUILDING ON EXISTING INITIATIVES Low-carbon economic growth is underpinned by Growing the renewable energy industry will build on the growth of a renewable energy industry. the action already taken in the Northern Territory, including: The Northern Territory is in an ideal position to grow the renewable energy industry as we move towards ✔✔ Our 50% Renewable Energy Target by 2030. 2050: ✔✔ Funding the Intyalheme Centre for Future ✔✔ We have one of the best solar resources in Energy (ICFE) in Alice Springs, a hub for best- the world. practice renewables research, development, and implementation. ✔✔ The Territory has a skilled workforce with experience delivering ambitious ✔✔ Approving the Territory’s first large-scale solar infrastructure projects. project, a 25 MW plant near Katherine. ✔✔ Solar is now the cheapest form of new ✔✔ Power and Water Corporation successfully electricity generation. installing 10 MW of solar energy in 25 remote communities. ✔✔ The Northern Territory is a great place to do business. ✔✔ Supporting the largest multi-technology solar demonstration facility in the southern ✔✔ We are close to economies demanding hemisphere (DKA Solar Centre). renewable energy exports. ✔✔ Awarding Major Project status to the 10GW Sun ✔✔ We have an energy corridor for domestic and Cable solar farm proposed in the Barkly. international export — rail, pipeline, road, and port. ✔✔ Investing in research across the renewable energy technology life-cycle (development to ✔✔ We already have existing energy export end-of-life recycling). infrastructure.

$2 BILLION IN ANNUAL $20 BILLION, $1.7 BILLION, REVENUE, OVER 8,000 1,300 LOCAL JOBS 2,800 JOBS NEW JOBS

Value of new revenue and Value of a solar farm proposed With the right policy settings, number of new jobs created in the Barkly. The project would Australian hydrogen exports under a 10 Gigawatt renewable generate electricity for the could contribute $1.7 billion and energy roll-out in the NT (by Northern Territory and Singapore provide 2,800 jobs by 203020 2030), calculated by Beyond Zero and create 1300 local jobs Emissions, in their 10 Gigawatt Vision report19

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FACILITATE THE LONG-TERM GROWTH OF THE RENEWABLE ENERGY INDUSTRY AND ENABLE LOW-CARBON ECONOMIC GROWTH

THE ABORIGINAL CARBON INDUSTRY The Aboriginal Carbon Industry generates carbon THE TERRITORY HAS THE credit units by re-establishing traditional savanna MAKINGS TO BECOME A fire regimes favouring early dry season burning. This reduces greenhouse gas emissions from WORLD-LEADER IN CLEAN widespread hot late season wildfires. The generated ENERGY GENERATION AND carbon credits are purchased through the Australian Government’s Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) EXPORT… I’M HOPING THAT to offset greenhouse gas emission (compliance WITHIN FIVE TO SEVEN market; to comply with the Safeguard Mechanism) or by companies that seek to offset their carbon YEARS, WE’LL BE SHIPPING emissions (voluntary market; enhances social ELECTRONS AT SERIOUS licence). SCALE. THAT’S DEFINITELY The industry carries significant economic, social, DO-ABLE. cultural and environmental benefits to Aboriginal people across the Territory. Aboriginal people seeking to work on their traditional lands gain job opportunities and training whilst maintaining Jeremy Kwong-Law, Head of Investments, important connections to family, community, and Grok Ventures, Mike Cannon-Brookes’ private country. Carbon credits sold to companies through investment company. voluntary or compliance markets attract a premium Mike Cannon-Brookes brokered the deal for price due to the multiple co-benefits delivered by SA’s 100 MW-hour Tesla battery, which is on Aboriginal carbon businesses. track to make back a third of its construction 21 Since 2013, the industry has generated over costs in its first year of operation . $55 million (based on the average carbon price of $12/tonne), including well over $16 million in the 2017/18 financial year from 1.22 million tonnes of greenhouse gas abatement (based on the current ERF carbon price of $13.87). $20 BILLION SOLAR FARM, - Overview written in collaboration with the 1300 LOCAL JOBS Indigenous Carbon Industry Network.

RENEWABLE HYDROGEN INDUSTRY A proposal by Sun Cable to build a $20 billion, Renewable hydrogen is produced by splitting 10 gigawatt solar and storage farm in the a water molecule into hydrogen and oxygen Barkly could generate 1000 jobs in Darwin (electrolysis process utilising renewable energy). The and another 1000 in Adelaide (where only by-products when it is used are water vapour solar technology will be manufactured 22 and heat . The NT could lead in this area, given under licence from 5B, an Australian our solar resources, existing infrastructure, and renewable technology provider), as well as proximity to export markets, including Japan. Japan 300 on-site solar farm jobs in the NT. The Sun 23 has a net zero emissions target and are relying on Cable solar farm has been awarded Major 24 hydrogen to decarbonise . Project status by the NT Government. Sun Cable are aiming to generate competitively priced, dispatchable electricity for transmission via a High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) network to customers in the Northern Territory and Singapore.

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FACILITATE THE LONG-TERM GROWTH OF THE RENEWABLE ENERGY INDUSTRY AND ENABLE LOW-CARBON ECONOMIC GROWTH

A transition to a low-carbon economy can have a flow-on effect and can open up many more economic opportunities in the Northern Territory, for example:

REPOWERING REMOTE COMMUNITIES MANUFACTURING Remote communities can participate in and share Manufacturing can be electrified (supplied by the revenues from renewable energy systems renewable energy)29. located on Aboriginal-owned land. Given the projected continued growth of the There could also be opportunities for Aboriginal- renewable energy industry, a potential opportunity owned enterprises to install and operate energy could include manufacturing renewable energy systems or use renewable energy to power small- equipment locally, including solar PV panels, battery scale businesses19, 27 assembly, racks for solar panels, and power cables19.

CHEAPER TRANSPORT COSTS RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGY RECYCLING Electric vehicles are already cheaper to run OR REPURPOSING compared to a petrol or diesel car. It is foreseeable Recycling or repurposing solar PV panels can unlock that by 2025, they will also be cheaper to purchase. raw materials and other valuable components. With renewable energy and electric vehicles, the Globally, the value of recovered material could 30 average NT household could reduce vehicle running exceed over $15 billion by 2050 . There is currently costs from $3,398 per year to $672 per year - an 80% only one facility in Australia for recycling solar 31 saving19. panels . The NT Government is currently funding research to investigate this opportunity. MINERALS AND MINERALS PROCESSING DIGITAL ECONOMY As outlined in the NT Government’s Territory Critical Minerals Plan28, with the increasing production of Data centres and digital services powered by renewable technologies and batteries, demand is renewables are rapidly increasing. Data centres expected to increase for minerals, including lithium. currently account for 1% of global electricity demand, and demand is growing exponentially32. If the minerals sector can also process these Companies, including Apple, are switching their minerals in the Northern Territory, powered by Asian supply chains to renewables33. renewable energy, additional export revenue could be realised. Our solar resources, paired with our proximity to Asian markets, places us in an ideal position to potentially capture this market.

ENERGY EXPORTS

We are an energy exporter and our energy export markets are becoming increasingly carbon-sensitive DOMESTIC Queensland; Victoria; New South; Tasmania; South Australia; and the Australian Capital Territory have net zero emissions targets in place (2045-2050). Considering the time difference, the NT could export to other jurisdictions during peak load (when demand is highest)

JAPAN; SOUTH KOREA; INDONESIA; CHINA; SINGAPORE Setting ambitious emission reduction and renewable energy/low-carbon transition targets

11 CONTINUE TO BUILD ON EXISTING INITIATIVES TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS ACROSS THE ECONOMY NORTHERN TERRITORY CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE // TOWARDS 2050

We will prioritise actions that are considered win-win approaches, in that they deliver meaningful emission reductions while also delivering benefits to Territorians and our natural systems. We will enable and communicate new opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to all Territorians. We will embed greenhouse gas emissions reduction considerations across Government decision-making.

The Northern Territory is already taking action CITIES to reduce greenhouse gases across different ✔ sectors, including electricity, agribusiness, land ✔ City of Darwin is committed to net zero management, minerals, transport, and waste. emissions by 2030 (from City of Darwin operations), and are upgrading over 900 CBD ELECTRICITY street lights to LED smart lighting to reduce power costs by up to 47% under the Switching ✔✔ The Government is committed to a 50% on Darwin project, in part supported by the NT renewable energy by 2030 target for electricity Government.34 supplied to Territory households and businesses. ✔✔ Alice Springs Town Council released their Climate ✔✔ The NT Government provided $5 million seed Action Plan, including an emission reduction funding to establish the Intyalheme Centre for target of 30% by 2021 (from a 2016 baseline).35 Future Energy in Alice Springs. Intyalheme’s role is to enhance renewable energy capability by INDUSTRY bridging gaps in relationships, knowledge, and ✔ technologies. ✔ ConocoPhillips will install a 4MW battery storage array at the Darwin LNG plant, enabling the plant ✔✔ The NT’s Desert Knowledge Australia Solar to switch off one of the gas turbines that power Centre is the largest multi-technology the facility. This is expected to save thousands of solar demonstration facility in the southern tonnes of fuel gas, reduce maintenance costs, hemisphere. and reduce power generation emissions by around 20%. The project is world-leading; it is HOUSEHOLDS, SCHOOLS, AND the first time large-scale battery technology has BUSINESSES been integrated into an LNG facility36. ✔✔ Under different programs offered by the ✔✔ Eni, who operate the Evans gas field on the NT Government since 2016, $14.3 million of Darwin shelf, have pledged to achieve net zero funding was offered to Territorians and Territory emissions in Eni’s upstream business by 203037 businesses to undertake energy efficiency and recently acquired a 33.7 MW solar project work and solar energy installations. In addition near Katherine.38 to stimulating the local economy, the energy ✔✔ Santos has set an aspirational target to achieve efficiency work and solar installations have saved net zero emissions from operations by 2050.39 Territorians and Territory businesses almost $10 million per year in lower electricity costs and ✔✔ Origin Energy was the first Australian company reduced greenhouse gas emissions; equivalent to have science-based emissions targets to taking 7,000 cars off the road. (commitment to halve emissions by 2032, in line with the Paris 2 °C goal40) recognised by the We ✔ ✔ The NT Government’s Rooftop Solar for Schools Mean Business initiative. Origin’s CEO stated program provides $5 million to provide solar decarbonisation presents opportunities to create systems in schools that are tied to educational value.41 programs teaching students about the solar energy technology. ✔✔ INPEX have set a 10% renewable energy target and are investing in research into renewable energy technologies.42 ✔✔ Woodside Petroleum, BHP Billiton, and Rio Tinto have called for the Federal Government to put a price on carbon to help with emission reduction targets and the transition to renewable energy.43, 44

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CONTINUE TO BUILD ON EXISTING INITIATIVES TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS ACROSS THE ECONOMY

AGRIBUSINESS The Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association THERE ARE EXCITING is collaborating with researchers to investigate OPPORTUNITIES FOR options to reduce methane emissions from enteric fermentation (the digestive process in cattle).45 TERRITORIANS TO BENEFIT The North Australian Pastoral Company, who FROM CUTTING THEIR operate 6.1 million hectares of land in the NT and EMISSIONS, USING PROVEN 46 47 QLD , has been certified carbon neutral. TECHNOLOGIES AND LAND MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS THAT CAN The NT Government support the world-leading LOWER ENERGY USE AND Aboriginal Carbon Industry, which generates carbon INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY. credit units by re-establishing traditional savanna fire regimes favouring early dry season burning in WE ENCOURAGE the Northern Territory. This reduces greenhouse gas TERRITORIANS TO ACT emissions from widespread hot late season wildfires NOW TO REDUCE THEIR TRANSPORT CARBON FOOTPRINT WHILE The NT Government ran a six month trial of a fully LOCKING IN THE FINANCIAL autonomous zero emissions vehicle at the Darwin GAINS AVAILABLE Waterfront Precinct in 2017. THROUGH CLEANER Publicly available electric vehicle charging stations are available on major transport routes across the ENERGY. Northern Territory.

WASTE Ian Learmonth, CEO, Clean Energy Finance Corporation The NT Government is funding research at Charles Darwin University to investigate the possibility of generating energy from domestic garden waste in Darwin and Alice Springs.

Further actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across all Northern FURTHER ACTION Territory sectors can include:

CO2

Increased carbon $ sequestration Production of Switching to (uptake) from Reduction of low-carbon clean electricity Using energy natural and non-energy GHG Offsetting GHG electricity and cleaner fuels more efficiently engineered systems emissions emissions

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CONTINUE TO BUILD ON EXISTING INITIATIVES TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS ACROSS THE ECONOMY

ECONOMIC BENEFITS ✔✔ The Australian Capital Territory revised their net zero emissions target from 2050 to 2045 (5 years The Northern Territory’s approach is designed to: earlier).53 ✔ ✔ Prioritise actions over the coming decade that ✔✔ Tasmania achieved net zero emissions in 201854 deliver new economic benefits to Territorians and Territory businesses. ✔✔ Western Australia has set an aspirational net zero emissions target55 ✔✔ Optimise the opportunities available around low- carbon economic growth to deliver economic THE NT GOVERNMENT’S ROLE benefits for Territorians and Territory businesses. The NT Government’s role is to lead by example ✔✔ Reduce economic risks, including avoiding and to send a signal to industry, investors, and the locking-in carbon intensive infrastructure and community that the NT Government is serious reducing the risk of stranded assets. about addressing climate change and unlocking the ✔✔ Enable Territorians and Territory businesses to be social, economic, and environmental benefits. agile and responsive to climate risk. The NT Government will embed climate change ✔✔ Reduce climate risks and impacts to all sectors in considerations across decision-making. Government the Northern Territory. will focus on establishing the settings and mechanisms to enable Territorians and Territory SETTING AN ASPIRATIONAL NET ZERO businesses to continue to reduce greenhouse EMISSIONS TARGET BY 2050 gas emissions and adapt to the impacts by being responsive and agile to climate risk. The NT CSIRO’s Australian National Outlook 2019 shows Government will communicate these risks and that with decisive action, it is not only possible for opportunities. Australia to achieve net zero emissions (2050), but for this to be realised with an increase in wages (up In addition to responding to climate risk within to 90% higher than today), and a decrease (of up to the Territory, the NT Government will advocate 64%) in household spending on electricity by 2060.48 for Commonwealth and COAG action on GHG emissions reductions and adaptation to climate An aspirational net zero emissions target recognises impacts. that we do not operate in a silo. Achieving this target will require all sectors to be on board and for HYDRAULIC FRACTURING supportive policies across Australia, including at the federal level. The Northern Territory Government has accepted Recommendation 9.8 of the Independent Scientific Across Australia, current Government targets are: Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing, which states ✔✔ Commonwealth Government interim target: that the NT and Australian Government seek to 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2030 (equivalent to ensure there is no net increase in the lifecycle a 50-52% reduction in per capita emissions by emissions emitted in Australia from any onshore 2030). shale gas produced in the NT. The NT Government is continuing to work with the Australian Government ✔✔ Victoria has legislated a net zero emissions target on this matter. by 2050, with five yearly interim targets49 ✔✔ New South Wales has committed to an NATURAL GAS INDUSTRY aspirational net zero emissions target by 2050. The onshore gas industry is projected to grow within ✔✔ South Australia has a net zero emissions target the Northern Territory. Government can collaborate by 2050 and a legislated framework51 with industry to investigate approaches that both achieve emissions savings and deliver competitive ✔✔ Queensland has committed to an aspirational advantages to NT industry. net zero emissions target by 205052

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EMISSIONS TRAJECTORY AND 1 . Core actions. EMISSIONS REDUCTION PATHWAYS Actions that are considered to be win-win A net zero target by 2050 does not mean that approaches, in that they can be delivered in the emissions have to stabilise and reduce immediately. short-term and deliver meaningful emission This will take time and it is anticipated that, with reductions while also delivering benefits to all sectors taking action to respond to climate risk, Territorians and our natural systems, such as emissions may peak in the NT after 2030 before creating new jobs; delivering cost-savings; stabilising and declining. attracting new investment; and protecting natural systems. These include actions to deliver There is no set pathway to achieve reductions, and the NT Government’s 50% Renewable Energy potential pathways should be agile and adaptable Target by 2030. to incorporate advancements in technology, policy, and science. It also recognises that while it may not 2 . Further ambition. be possible to achieve net zero emissions in certain Approaches that can be implemented over sectors, in others, there is potential to achieve net the medium-term, but are not yet possible, negative emissions (more greenhouse gases are for example due to technological or financial stored or sequestered than are released to the constraints. atmosphere). If possible, the foundations can be put in As significant investments continue to be made, place to prepare, so that these actions can be and technology and policy advances towards 2050, implemented at a later date. new opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will become accessible. 3 . Speculative. Following the finalisation of the Climate Change Approaches that have the potential to deliver Response, the NT Government will continue to work emissions savings, but the technology is still in with all stakeholders, including local and national its infancy and/or there is uncertainty regarding experts, to determine the actions and mechanisms whether large-scale implementation will be available to achieve GHG emission reductions. These possible, for example, engineered removals of can be separated into three key areas: carbon dioxide (direct air capture) or methane to carbon dioxide conversion56 .

16 Photo credit The Intyalheme Centre for Future Energy RESPOND TO CLIMATE RISK AND ADAPT TO THE OBSERVED AND PROJECTED IMPACTS NORTHERN TERRITORY CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE // TOWARDS 2050

We will develop climate change risk response strategies for Government services and assets and climate-sensitive sectors. We will communicate climate change risks and enable adaptation across the Northern Territory. We will embed climate change risk considerations across Government decision-making.

IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE • Increased risk to human health and life57, 58 We are already living with the impacts of climate • Direct impacts to primary industries (e.g. risks to change and these impacts will be exacerbated livestock; fisheries) 1 into the future. Territorians will experience these • Loss of biodiversity in the Northern Territory impacts differently, with the worst impacts expected amongst those with the least capacity to adapt.2 • Natural ecosystems placed at high risk (e.g. extensive mangrove dieback and coral reef loss; In a business-as-usual scenario, the costs can loss of freshwater ecosystems; coastal erosion)3 include: increased risk to human health and life, loss of natural systems and processes, and damage • Increase in sea level rise, ocean acidification, and 1,2 to infrastructure and the built environment. The extreme sea-level events economic cost can be significant. For example, in 2017 the economic costs of extreme weather events CLIMATE RISK RESPONSE STRATEGY in the Territory was $1.3 billion. This cost did not POLICY DIRECTIONS include the economic cost of heat waves or other The NT Government can continue to work in climate-related hazards45. collaboration with stakeholders and experts to: Impacts for the Northern Territory include, but are ✔✔ Continue to develop climate risk response not limited to: (adaptation) strategies to address risks to • Increased exposure to extreme weather events1 climate-sensitive sectors and Government services and assets. || Increase in the number of extreme heat days; the intensity of tropical cyclones; more extreme ✔✔ Embed climate risks across Government fire behaviour; flooding; and the intensity and decision-making. frequency of droughts ✔✔ Communicate risks effectively and facilitate || Changes to freshwater availability climate risk response management across the Northern Territory.

ADAPTATION PATHWAYS

Northern Territory Local governments Government and regions People and knowledge Embed climate change Collaborate with local Sectors and systems Engage and facilitate consideration into governments and other access to best- policies, regulations, regional organisations Continue to collaborate available evidence to and procedures to to develop regional with relevant support climate risk address risks to assets adaptation solutions stakeholders to identify management within and services. Develop and embed climate risk adaptation needs and the Territory. adaptation plans. across decision-making. priority actions.

19 DELIVERING THE CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE

Photo credit Mimal Land Management NORTHERN TERRITORY CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE // TOWARDS 2050

The next steps to implement the Climate Change Response are:

Facilitate the long-term growth of the renewable energy industry to diversify and strengthen the economy (low- carbon economic growth) and to enable new export industries, including solar energy and renewable hydrogen export industries

✔✔ The Northern Territory Government will continue to work to deliver the 50% Renewable Energy Target by 2030.

✔✔ Complementary to the Renewable Energy Target, the Government will develop a Solar and Renewable Hydrogen Strategy to continue to enable the long-term growth of the renewable energy industry.

Continue to build on existing initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the economy, in line with a long-term aspirational target of net zero emissions by 2050

Upon finalisation of the Response, the NT Government will continue to determine how to strategically achieve the long-term objectives. This will include:

✔✔ Determining how Government can most effectively embed greenhouse gas emissions reduction considerations across Government decision making and relevant policies.

✔✔ Collaborating with local and national experts and stakeholders to investigate potential low-carbon transition (and least-cost) pathways, aiming to ensure we capture the co-benefits.

✔✔ In collaboration with stakeholders, determining and implementing the mechanisms required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the Northern Territory. This will include an Implementation Plan for the Northern Territory Government.

✔✔ Prioritising actions that deliver meaningful emissions reduction savings and benefits for Territorians and Territory businesses.

✔✔ Continuing to investigate avenues for Territorians to access new sources of financing and investment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, for example through the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, who are responsible for investing $10 billion in clean energy projects on behalf of the Australian Government.

✔✔ Communicating to Territorians the opportunities available to engage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the NT Government’s Climate Change Response website.

Effectively respond to climate risk and adapt to the observed and projected impacts

✔✔ Continue to develop climate risk response (adaptation) strategies to address risks to climate-sensitive sectors, and Government services and assets.

✔✔ Embed climate risks across Government decision-making and relevant policies.

✔✔ Communicate risks effectively and facilitate climate risk response management across the NT through the Climate Change Response website.

REVIEW AND REPORT

The Minister for Climate Change will be accountable for the implementation of the Northern Territory Climate Change Response: Towards 2050 and will report on progress annually. As advances in technology and policy are made, and new greenhouse gas emissions reduction opportunities become accessible, it will be necessary to review the Northern Territory’s Response. The Climate Change Response: Towards 2050 will be reviewed in 2023.

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