A Bill to modernise South Australia’s climate change and emissions reduction legislation was introduced to the South Australian Parliament on 29 August 2024, following consultation with the community on climate change action during 2023 and 2024.

The Climate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2024 contains updated renewable electricity and emissions targets:

• 60 per cent reduction (on 2005 levels) by 2030
• Net zero emissions by 2050
• 100 per cent net renewable electricity generation target by 2027

Other amendments include stronger policies and planning measures, including a state-wide emissions reduction plan and a climate risk assessment.

Stay up to date with the progress of amending South Australia’s climate change legislation by visiting the Department for Environment and Water’s website.

Winners and finalists of the 2024 SA Climate Leaders Awards with Deputy Premier Susan Close, members of the Premier's Climate Change Council and keynote speaker Tiahni Adamson

The City of Mitcham was declared the overall winner of the 2024 SA Climate Leaders Awards in August, also taking home the award for Government, with four other category winners and many more finalists recognised.

The council’s Community Renewable Energy Program, which is managed by solar energy supplier ShineHub, provides solar panels and home batteries to households and businesses across the Mitcham district with no up-front costs. More than 900 systems have been installed as part of the program, which first started in 2021.

Other winners included:

• Business and Industry (Large Enterprise): Electrolux
• Business and Industry (Small Enterprise): Sparc Hydrogen
• Community: Biodiversity McLaren Vale
• Research and Education: Waite Arboretum

Read more about the SA Climate Leaders Awards on the Department for Environment and Water’s website.

New planning rules to assist the rebuilding process and mitigate the impacts of future River Murray flood events have now been finalised.

With climate change expected to result in more frequent and intense extreme weather events, the River Murray Flood Resilience Code Amendment aims to provide clearer guidance for impacted communities to rebuild more flood-resilient development.

The amendments were informed by feedback received from community, industry and government agencies during consultation and the extent and levels of floodwaters during the recent flood.

For more information about the Code Amendment, visit the YourSAy website.

Small businesses looking to become more energy efficient can now apply for a Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant.

Small business owners or not-for-profit organisations in South Australia can access matched funding of between $2,500 and $50,000 to invest in new equipment or solutions to cut future energy bills.

Energy efficient solutions or equipment can include lighting, appliances, heating, cooling and refrigeration, or upgrading your power supply and generation.

Applications close at 5pm on Friday 29 November 2024, unless funding is exhausted prior.

For more information, go to business.sa.gov.au/energy-grants

For more information about climate change action in South Australia visit the Department for Environment and Water's website.