BENEFITS OF A LOW CARBON ECONOMY

The Tasmanian Greens today pushed the Economic Development Minister to quantify the value of the transition to a low-carbon economy, and the contribution of the emerging creative economy.
Greens Treasury spokesperson Tim Morris MP said the importance of ‘greening’ of the labour market and businesses was now a central part of orthodox economic thinking, as highlighted by a 2012 OECD economic report. [1]

“It is now widely recognised that it is essential to decouple economic growth from unsustainable environmental pressures, such as those leading to global climate change, and that a successful transition towards a low-carbon economy will necessarily reshape the labour market…”

“It’s now economic orthodoxy that genuine economic transformation must lead to a low-carbon economy, including the ‘greening’ of the labour market,” Mr Morris said.

“It is reassuring to hear a Labor Minister talking up the importance of genuine environmental stewardship for the future of Tasmania’s economy, but we believe it’s time to put a real dollar figure on it.”

“With environmental sustainability now one of the four drivers in the Regional Economic Development Plans it shows that improving energy efficiency and improving environmental outcomes is now central to business development and government planning.”

“The Greens believe it’s time to look at quantifying the dollar value the low carbon economy to Tasmania, as part of the state’s long-term economic strategy.”

“The vision of a clean, green, clever and creative Tasmanian economy is becoming a reality, and it is happening in the planning but better outcomes can be achieved if it is backed by the right kind of targeted support.”

“We simply have to continue to transform and diversify our economy so that we can be more resilient, and create jobs that last and are competitive in the current and expected economic environment.”

[1] “The jobs potential of a shift towards a low-carbon economy” FINAL REPORT FOR THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, DG EMPLOYMENT, 4th June 2012
Tim Morris MP Greens Treasury Spokesperson Wednesday, 5 June 2013