Tasmania, already a destination known for pure air, rugged mountains and biodiverse national parks, is geared toward greater sustainability. It aims to become carbon neutral by 2025. By staff writer.
23 April 2021, Hobart. In just four years, Tasmania’s tourism industry could very well becoma a carbon-neutral destination.
The Australian state is a genuine leader in responding to climate change. Tasmania is one of only a handful of jurisdictions in the world to achieve 100 per cent self-sufficiency in clean, reliable and affordable renewable energy.
It is leading Australia’s transition to a low-emissions economy, with the state setting a target to double its renewable energy generation to 200 per cent of its current needs by 2040.
The Pumphouse Point, set on a glacial lake and surrounded by myrtle forests, offers low carbon activities such as ebike, boating and bushwalking.
Rob Pennicott from Pennicott Wilderness Journeys and Chair of the Carbon Neutral Destination steering committee said, “Climate change is a significant global challenge and a concern for many travellers.”
The Tasmanian industry’s commitment to becoming a truly carbon neutral destination represents the very best of our people and their deep sense of responsibility to our stunning natural environment,” he added.
Some of the Tasmanian tourism operators leading the way for sustainability are:
Pennicott Wilderness Journeys with tours that are 100% carbon offset, and measurement of energy use, water consumption and waste output through the internationally recognised EarthCheck system. Robert Pennicott, the founder, is also Chair of the Carbon Neutral Destination steering committee, and has a deep passion in ensuring his tours operate in harmony with the environment.
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary with initiatives such as using 100% organic cleaning products and replacing plastic bottles with glass alternatives, providing a safer environment for wildlife within their premises.
The Great Walks of Tasmania, which has a collection of iconic walking experiences across Tasmania’s beautiful environments dedicated to preserving and caring for our untouched wilderness.
Roaring 40s Kayaking, which reduces carbon emissions of its tours, and encourages its guests to tackle climate change.
Wilderness adventures that are low impact such as ziplining at Hollybank Forest for over almost one kilometre are what tourists can enjoy without worry about their environmental footprint.
The local industry will be supported to achieve this goal with $1.5 million from the Tasmanian Government to enable tourism operators to undertake carbon audits and formulate a pathway to achieving a globally recognised standard of operation.
The industry has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic but has not lost sight of its long-term commitment to building a sustainable tourism industry for the benefit of our visitors and community.
Tasmania – transition from gas in the energy mix to fully renewables
According to Renewal Economy, Tasmania had been reliant on supplementary supplies of gas generation, as well as imported supplies from coal-heavy Victoria. However, with the growth of wind power in the state, Tasmania reduced its reliance on the supplementary supplies of fossil fuel electricity, and can now meet all of its needs with renewable sources.
Tasmanian energy minister Guy Barnett said that state had effectively become entirely self-sufficient for supplies of renewable electricity, provided by the state’s wind and hydroelectricity projects.
“We have reached 100 per cent thanks to our commitment to realising Tasmania’s renewable energy potential through our nation-leading energy policies and making Tasmania attractive for industry investment, which in turn is creating jobs across the State, particularly in our regions,” Barnett said.
Barnett said Tasmania had reached the 100 per cent renewable threshold with the commissioning of some of the last wind turbines at the Granville Harbour wind farm being developed on the state’s west coast in 2020.