MOTORISTS GIVEN GREEN LIGHT TO OFFSET THEIR VEHICLES
For only $59 a year, Queenslanders can now fully offset the greenhouse gas emissions from their family sedan under a new Bligh Government program.
Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones and Transport Minister Rachel Nolan today launched the 'Reverse the Effect' program during the Queensland Climate Change Summit at Parliament House.
Ms Jones said the $4.5 million voluntary program involved the State Government providing matching dollar-for-dollar contributions so that motorists only needed to pay half the amount to fully offset their vehicles.
"Through this new program, the Bligh Government is showing true leadership in tackling climate change," Ms Jones said.
"We're giving Queenslanders a helping hand to offset all manner of motorised vehicles from Mopeds to large trucks.
"They are all weighted differently in the amount of carbon they emit each year so a Moped will only cost $8 a year to offset while a light commercial-s tyle van will cost $120.
"The low-emission hybrid cars have also been accounted for - their offset price is just $28 with the State Government's co-contribution.
"This program is all about driving change and encouraging Queensland motorists to help balance vehicle greenhouse gas emissions.
"I believe there's a lot of Queenslanders who want to do the right thing by the environment - that includes offsetting the carbon they emit during their vehicle journeys.
"The Bligh Government is giving them the 'vehicle' to help make a positive contribution to the war on climate change with the added bonus of funding new protected forestry projects in Queensland."
Ms Nolan said the initiative had the support of Queensland's motoring group, RACQ and the potential to help fully offset more than 76,000 family sedan vehicles.
"With just a few mouse clicks, motorists will be able to offset on-line at www.reversetheeffect.com.au
"They can select their vehicle type for a period of six or 12 months and the average amount of greenhouse gas their type of vehicle emits over these periods.
"A tax-deductible donation can be made online using a credit card that will contribute towards expanding our protected natural landscapes, including forestry projects.
"The Queensland Government is accelerating the program with $4.5 million of funding allocated over the next five years to match motorists' donations."
Ms Jones and Ms Nolan were the first to offset their vehicles at the launch.
Ms Jones said donations received into the program will be managed by Ecofund Queensland and channelled into projects that support the ClimateQ initiative Climate Change Corridors for Biodiversity.
"These projects will see several species of trees planted to create native forests that capture carbon from the atmosphere and reduce the impact of emissions," she said.
"By creating native forests we can also expand protected natural areas in Queensland that will minimise the effects of climate change and enhance the environment for the future."
Ms Nolan said the transport sector generated more than 10 per cent of the state's total greenhouse gas emissions.
"Road transport and Queensland vehicles contribute around 85 per cent of these emissions with more than 16 million tonnes of CO2 a year," she said.
"This is equivalent to filling 7.6 Wivenhoe Dams.
"Our ultimate goal is to help offset approximately 290,000 tonnes of CO2 by the time the $4.5 million program is completed."
