Former US Vice President Al Gore will visit Brisbane next year to conduct climate change leadership training for up to a 1000 people from across Australia and the Pacific.
The three-day event at the Brisbane Convention Centre 5 to 7 June 2019 – run by the Climate Reality Project – will see business and community leaders trained to be educators and take action with climate solutions, as the world moves to meet its commitments under the Paris Agreement.
Environment and Science Minister Leeanne Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government was a strong supporter for action on climate change and was proud to host the event.
"I spoke with Al Gore when I attended the Global Climate Action Summit in September, and encouraged him to bring himself and the Climate Reality Project to Queensland," she said.
"By securing this internationally recognised event for Brisbane, the Palaszczuk Government is putting Queensland at the forefront of important climate change work.
"This major event will provide the skills for business and community leaders to influence the community to take action on climate change.
"Climate change is a fundamental challenge facing our planet today and it is critical that we unite to take urgent and strong action to reduce our carbon pollution," Minister Enoch said.
Queensland is an active member of the Under2 Coalition, a group of like-minded sub-national governments around the world who are committed to keeping warming to below 2 degrees.
"Taking action now on climate change will not only help to keep global temperatures below dangerous levels, it is also an opportunity for businesses to get on the front foot as the world transitions to a low carbon economy," Ms Enoch said.
"Embracing solutions to climate change will in many cases lead to more jobs, more prospects for businesses, and safer communities if we position ourselves to take advantage of global trends."
Minister Enoch said reducing Queensland’s contribution to climate change is a key part of the government’s Advancing Queensland Priority to protect the Great Barrier Reef.
"We’re working towards achieving a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, as one component of protecting the future of the Great Barrier Reef which science shows us is struggling under increasing water temperatures," she said.
Professor Don Henry, Chair of Climate Reality Australia, said that this is the first time Noble Prize winner Mr Gore will do a training on this crucial issue in Queensland and Northern Australia.
"It is a good opportunity for people from all walks of life to be better informed and act on the solutions needed to tackle climate change," Professor Henry.
"With the Great Barrier Reef threatened by climate change and action needed across the Asia/Pacific region the training will be of global significance."
The training will be free of charge and is expected to attract around 5 000 applicants, with between 800 and 1,000 selected to take part.
