Clean economy pathway

On 18 April 2024, the Queensland Government passed the Clean Economy Jobs Act 2024, making a significant move towards realising a clean economy future for Queensland.

This legislation aims to drive clean economy investment and jobs with a new emissions reduction target of 75% below 2005 levels by 2035, as well as enshrining in legislation Queensland's commitment to net zero emissions by 2050.

Queensland’s renewable energy targets and emissions reduction targets work together to drive action and set Queensland up for the future. Setting ambitious and considered targets supports more green industries, develops new and innovative technologies, creates a new generation of jobs and attracts important global and local investment.

Queensland is currently at 35% below 2005 levels, having exceeded our first interim emission reduction target of 30% by 2030.

Legislating a 75% emissions reduction target by 2035 will secure traditional jobs in our regions, ensure our traditional industries remain globally competitive and deliver a world leading response to climate change to safeguard the Great Barrier Reef.

The legislation establishes a framework for accountability and action, including an expert panel to provide advice to government, the development of emissions reduction plans by the end of 2025, and annual reporting to Parliament.

Download Queensland’s 2035 Clean Economy Pathway (PDF, 3004.62 KB).

Achieving the targets

The Queensland's Government's current plans, partnerships and strategies that contribute to emissions reduction include the:

• Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan
  • Job Security Guarantee (Action 3.2)
• Low Emissions Investment Partnerships program
• Zero Emissions Vehicles Strategy & Action Plan
• Resources Industry Development Plan
• Low Emissions Agriculture Roadmap
• Biodiversity Conservation Strategy
• New-Industry Development Strategy.

The Australian Government’s Safeguard Mechanism is the national policy for reducing emissions at Australia’s largest industrial facilities.

Emissions reduction plans

The Clean Economy Jobs Act 2024 requires the development of emissions reduction plans that will support achievement of the targets. The first emissions reduction plans will be developed by the end of 2025.

There will be an overarching plan that will outline the overall vision and priorities to achieve net zero.  The overarching plan will provide a coordinated framework for 6 sector emissions reduction plans to ensure all industries are engaged in realising a clean economy future.

The sectors are:

• energy
• resources
• transport
• agriculture and land
• industry
• built environment

Read more about the first emissions reduction plans in the program for making emissions reduction plans (PDF, 1021.96 KB). The program fulfils the requirements under section 11 of the Act.

Expert panel

The Clean Economy Expert Panel has been established to provide advice to government on achieving the emissions reduction targets.

The expert panel’s first advice (PDF, 294.7 KB) focused on the program for making emissions reduction plans.

Read more

• View our latest emissions data.
• View our renewable energy progress.