Research Paper 11
Conclusion and recommendations
This research has provided an insight into South East Queensland’s mitigation strategies,rating them against world best practice, and identifying obstacles to provide a possible way forward for the region. Although there has been an initial response by some councils to generate an emissions database, SEQ falls well short of best practice.
Evidence presented in this research shows that climate change is real and is being increasingly acknowledged at the local level. Information presented, combined with national and international examples show that strategies to mitigate climate change require an integrated approach as there is no single panacea for mitigation. It is important to recognise that most aspects of a climate change mitigation strategy will provide a number of ancillary
benefits, particularly at the local level.
This research found that local level climate change strategies were focused on the voluntary CCP program, whilst strategies at the regional level were almost nonexistent. When compared to world’s best practice, SEQ strategies rate poorly, and show few signs of improvement in the foreseeable future.
While it would seem that the CCP program is good for the promotion of climate change mitigation, it may actually be doing more harm than good in the SEQ context. This is because information presented in the Queensland Greenhouse Strategy (EPA 2004) may mislead us to believe that local governments are `on top’ of mitigation strategies. However this research has presented that most local councils tend to set `bad’ targets that they can
achieve rather than `good’ targets which might not be reached. If local governments in the SEQ were not members the CCP program it may be easier for the community to recognise that their region falls considerably short of world best practice in climate change mitigation.
Although concerns were raised by interviewees about population growth, a key impediment seems be the failure at all levels of government in SEQ to recognise climate change for what it is - a phenomenon that has the ability to permanently alter social, economic and ecological systems.
The dilemma of climate change brings about a great opportunity to change the structure and the mindset that created this situation. The SEQ region’s rapidly growing population is already placing considerable strains on the region’s natural environment. All elements of best practice climate change mitigation strategy listed in this paper have considerable ancillary benefits which may help alleviate some of SEQ’s growing pains.

Furthermore,although the emissions of SEQ may seem miniscule in comparison to the global common, mitigation strategies will better prepare the region’s adaptability to the changing climate. Towards achieving best practice in mitigating climate change. The first major step would be for all levels of government to acknowledge the seriousness of the climate change situation. Climate change will greatly challenge the environment, economy and social equity of the region. To achieve a best practice approach to climate change mitigation there needs to be an absolute change in the mindset of the government and general community. This requires a concerted community education campaign and training of local and state government planning and policy staff. Planning schemes need to
move away from a token acknowledgment of the challenge and incorporate climate change mitigation into every element of planning. Appropriate guidance from the State through the SEQRP and the Greenhouse Strategy is needed to change planning schemes.