Climate Tasmania: No Leadership on Stranded Assets

Media release – Climate Tasmania, 21 April 2021

No leadership on stranded assets

Climate Tasmania today regretted the lack of Tasmanian political leadership on a key climate change issue: stranded assets. “Stranded assets are things that people have paid for, are still in working order, but can’t use.”, said spokesperson David Hamilton, “In this case, assets that produce, store, distribute or use petrol, diesel, jet fuel, LPG and natural gas will become stranded once we get serious about the climate emergency,” he said.

“Our use of these fossil fuels are the primary cause of the climate emergency. If we want to slow and stop the progression of climate change, then we need to phase out those fossil fuels as quickly as possible. We won’t be able to set a course for a safe climate if we continue to use them as long as we like.”

Climate Tasmania today released a Fact Sheet on stranded assets. The fact sheet is one of several the independent, science-based group are releasing during the State election campaign.

Spokesperson David Hamilton said: “This issue is a failure of leadership. Every week Tasmanians are purchasing vehicles and equipment which rely on petrol, diesel, natural gas, and LPG,” he said.

“They buy them expecting to be able to use them for the equipment’s full life. We know that we won’t get to a safe climate if we do use those vehicles and equipment for their full life – but no one in politics is talking about the issue. At the very least, all three parties, and the independent candidates, should all make clear, unequivocal statements about the need to phase out fossil fuels,” he said.

Authorised by M. Steadman, 190 Goulburn St, West Hobart, 7000.