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Qld to act alone on Biden's climate summit

Marty SilkAAP
Queensland will act alone in response to US President Joe Biden's climate change summit.
Camera IconQueensland will act alone in response to US President Joe Biden's climate change summit. Credit: EPA

Queensland plans to act alone in response to US President Joe Biden's climate change summit to avoid being "left in the dust" with the federal government.

The summit starting on Thursday brings together the world's biggest polluters in a bid to ramp up global climate action.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced $565.8 million to co-fund research and demonstration projects in low-emissions technologies ahead of the talks.

Queensland Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon says the climate advisory council of business leaders, academics, advocacy groups and public servants will tune into the Biden summit.

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The council will then advise the state government on how it can best act on any summit outcomes.

"If we're to continue to build on our achievements, we can't expect to wait for the federal government to take action," Ms Scanlon told parliament on Thursday.

"While we've seen some steps taken by Canberra, we've not yet seen the leadership the world has been crying out for. They're yet to set a net zero emissions target and the Biden administration has criticised their climate change policies as 'insufficient'.

"Well we won't wait and be left in the dust."

The Queensland government has set itself a target of net zero emissions by 2050 and is aiming for 50 per cent of the state's energy supplies to be renewable by 2030.

But the Greens said the Labor government had no credibility on climate change after approving the controversial Carmichael coal mine and 17 other coal mines during the last term.

Greens environment spokesman Michael Berkman called on Ms Scanlon to explain how net zero by 2050 would be achieved if those 18 mines were still operating and exporting thermal coal and gas beyond that date.

"They talk the talk here in Brisbane, but it's worth diddly squat if they won't phase out thermal coal and gas by 2030 or close down coal-fired power stations with a just transition plan for workers, for fear of upsetting their biggest donors," he told AAP.

Opposition environment spokesman Sam O'Connor also raised doubts about the state's government emission target.

He said Queensland had the highest emissions of any jurisdiction in the country and was responsible for one third of all emissions in Australia in 2019, according to federal Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources data.

"The state government loves to talk the talk and put together plans and strategies but it means nothing if none of it leads to outcomes," Mr O'Connor told AAP.

"Since Labor came to government, emissions in Queensland have actually increased by more than 12 per cent.

"Setting targets means nothing if you don't take action to meet them."

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