Tasmania's climate challenges are getting much worse, as scathing report has found, as the government faces accusations of mismanaging the state's environment.
The State of the Environment Report - produced by the Tasmania Planning Commission - found it was getting worse on 16 of 29 climate indicators.
In contrast, just two of the 29 indicators were improving.
The failings included emitting 47 per cent more than Tasmania's equal per person share of the safe global emissions budget.
Tasmania's sea temperatures have continued to increase faster than the global average rate of warming, which the report stated was driving fundamental changes to marine ecosystems.
“Changes in forestry management have driven reductions in Tasmania’s overall carbon emissions … however underlying emissions from other activities continue to grow, particularly from industrial processes, manufacturing and construction,” the report read.
“Transformational action across all sectors is essential to reduce emissions and limit global warming … all sectors must reduce their emissions to a significant extent.”
The findings showed a government that had "severely mismanaged" its environment and natural resources, the Australia Institute said.
“Too often (the government) is putting foreign profits ahead of Tasmanians’ wellbeing, because we all rely on a healthy environment,” the institute’s Tasmanian branch director Eloise Carr said.
“The report also reveals serious deficiencies in Tasmania’s environmental monitoring programs … government agencies do not have data to be able to make strategic decisions about the use of natural resources.”
The report made 16 recommendations, including developing a long-term environment vision and strategy, establishing more protected marine areas, strengthening fire management activities and reducing emissions across all sectors.
Independent Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie said he government should implement all the recommendations if it wanted to address environmental challenges.
“Tasmanians pride ourselves on our pristine environment, but this report makes it clear our state is facing significant challenges that threaten our diverse ecosystems and our clean, green reputation,” he said.
The government was reviewing the report before announcing action on the recommendations, Housing and Planning Minister Felix Ellis said.
“Our environment is the envy of many across the globe and we remain committed to managing our natural assets in a sound and sensible way – including by leveraging this natural and sustainable resource for the benefit of Tasmanians,” he said.
