Premier's Climate Change Council

The Premier’s Climate Change Council was established by the Government of South Australia under the Climate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Act 2007. The Council provides independent advice to the Minister responsible for Climate Change about matters related to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change adaptation and was formed during the Rann Government. The Council's membership represents the business community, the environment and conservation sector, the scientific community and state and local governments.^[1] It is chaired by prominent South Australian businessman Bruce Carter, who was appointed to the role in 2011.^[2] In 2013, Michelle Lensink MLC questioned the efficacy of the Premier's Climate Change Council, and asked the Minister for the environment, Ian Hunter about the absence of the Council's 2011-12 annual report from the Council's website.^[3] In 2013, the Council published South Australia’s Climate Change Vision: Pathways to 2050 to advise Premier Jay Weatherill and his government on future planning and policy directions for the state.^[1][4][5]

In September 2015, Bruce Carter said of the Council:

"“We want to encourage a wide range of views around climate change measures that are dynamic and adaptive.”^[6]

Role

The role of the council is to “provide advice to the Government on reducing the state’s greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change in order to meet the state’s legislated greenhouse gas emissions targets.” ^[7]

Membership

Selection criteria

The act requires the appointment of seven to ten persons by the Minister from the state and local government, the “business community,” the “environment and conservation sector,” the “scientific community,” and representation from other sectors of the South Australian community. The appointment process must take account of an individual person’s knowledge of and expertise in the subject matter, consider advice from both the Local Government Association of South Australia and the Conservation Council of South Australia, and must ensure the minimal representation of both genders.^[8]

Membership as of 2015

John O'Brien

As of 2015, the Council's membership includes:^[9]

• Bruce Carter (Chair)
• Kathryn Bellette^[10]
• Ros DeGaris
• Brian Foster
• Nicole Halsey
• John O'Brien
• Sandy Pitcher
• Don Russell
• Michelle Tucker

Former members

• 

  Barry Brook (former member)
  Professor Barry Brook^[11]
• ƒProfessor Don Bursill^[11]
• Rob Chapman^[11]
• Dianne Davidson^[11]
• Dr Campbell Gemmell^[1]
• Fred Hansen^[1]
• Allan Holmes^[12]
• Tim Kelly^[1]
• John Kerr^[11]
• David Klingberg (Chair)^[11]
• Dr Prue McMichael^[1]
• Caroline McMillen^[13]
• Suzanne Miller^[11]
• Professor Mary O’Kane^[11]
• Tim O’Loughlin^[11]
• Professor Jean Palutikof^[1]
• Pauline Peel^[14]
• ƒJulie Pettett^[11]
• Verity Sanders^[1]
• Jim White^[11]

External links

• Premier's Climate Change Council

References

1. South Australia’s climate change vision - Pathways to 2050 (PDF). Adelaide, South Australia: Premier's Climate Change Council, Government of South Australia. 2013. p. 4.
2. "They Call Him Bruce*". Retrieved 2015-11-02.
3. "Premier's Climate Change Council". Michelle Lensink. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
4. "MEDIA RELEASE: Time for all parties to get real on climate change". Our Backyard SA. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
5. "Vision to help guide South Australia's Climate Change action" (PDF). Government of South Australia. 2014-02-13. Retrieved 2015-02-11.
6. "The Fifth Estate | South Australia opens landmark climate change strategy for feedback". www.thefifthestate.com.au. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
7. Premier’s Climate Change Council Annual Report 1 February – 30 June 2008 (PDF). Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Government of South Australia. October 2008. p. 6. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
8. "CLIMATE CHANGE AND GREENHOUSE EMISSIONS REDUCTION ACT 2007 (NO 22 OF 2007) - SECT 9". Australasian Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
9. "Premier's Climate Change Council Membership". Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
10. "Flinders University". www.flinders.edu.au. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
11. "Premier's Climate Change Council Annual Report, 1 February – 30 June 2008" (PDF). Department of Premier & Cabinet. Government of South Australia. 2008-10-01. Retrieved 2014-10-15.
12. "Mark Parnell MLC in Parliament". markparnell.org.au. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
13. "Premier's Climate Change Council Annual Report, 1 July 2008 – 30 June 2009" (PDF). Department of Premier & Cabinet. Government of South Australia. 2009-10-01. Retrieved 2014-10-15.
14. "Premier's Climate Change Council Annual Report, 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2010" (PDF). Premier's Climate Change Council. Government of South Australia. 2010-10-28. Retrieved 2014-10-15.