Adelaide joins race to become world's first carbon neutral city

The South Australian government is launching a new strategy to decarbonise its economy and has set a goal for Adelaide to become the first carbon neutral city in the world.

A low-carbon economy experts panel has been appointed, including former Liberal leader John Hewson, professor Frank Jotzo and Anna Skarbek, chief executive of ClimateWorks. The panel will provide advice on climate policy and how to create jobs in clean energy technology and other low-carbon opportunities.

A new strategy paper, which will be open for public consultation, sets a goal of attracting $10bn in low-carbon investment in South Australia.

Ian Hunter, South Australia’s climate change and environment minister, said the strategy was needed due to the federal Coalition’s “woeful” approach to climate change and renewables.

“The federal government’s emissions targets are appallingly low, it means they are giving up on the world staying below a 2C temperature rise,” Hunter told Guardian Australia.

“Investors have been spooked a bit by pronouncements from Canberra on renewable energy, especially by Tony Abbott on wind energy, but we can have a bipartisan approach here. I think Liberals in the states are a little bemused and even embarrassed by their federal counterparts.”

Hunter said South Australia is a domestic leader on climate change and is looking to enhance its international credentials by attending crunch UN climate talks in Paris later this year. The federal government has yet to approve a request for Jay Weatherill, South Australia’s premier, to attend talks with other regional and state leaders.

South Australia has a goal of cutting emissions by 60% by 2050. Hunter wouldn’t commit to subsidies or tax breaks to help low carbon ventures but said the state government had already relaxed development rules to make it easier for renewable energy projects.

“We need a next step because the jobs and industries of the future is renewables and clean tech,” he said. “We know we need to decarbonise our economy and we know there is $4bn already in the pipeline for low carbon economic activity. We can’t rest on our laurels.”

The state government hopes that Adelaide will be the world’s first carbon neutral city – meaning its net emissions output will be zero. Melbourne and Vancouver have the same goal by 2020, while Copenhagen hopes to achieve this by 2025.

Hunter said Adelaide will go carbon neutral by focusing on the efficiency of transport and buildings, with help for property owners that want to save energy or install solar panels. A trial of driverless cars is to be held in Adelaide, while improved waste management and recycling is also on the agenda.

“We will do everything it takes to be first,” Hunter said. “I’ve been to Copenhagen to spy on what they are doing. If we are first by day one, that will be fine. We like beating Melbourne.”

Nuclear energy may be part of South Australia’s future too. A royal commission looking at the state’s involvement in the nuclear energy process started its public sessions on Wednesday. Economist Ross Garnaut and climate scientist David Karoly are among those providing input to the sessions.