The Minister for Climate Change, Cassy O'Connor, today welcomed moves by the state's Climate Action Council to engage with the broader community over the coming year.

"The Climate Action Council has a vital role to play in informing the community about issues surrounding climate change, and providing advice to Government, but there is also a role to play in inspiring the broader community about the action we can take," Ms O'Connor said.

"This morning when I met with the Council I was impressed with their preparedness to engage with all sectors of the Tasmanian community on the importance of mitigating climate change at the local level and adapting to its impacts.

"We have a big year ahead of us - in 2013 the Tasmanian Government will be consulting on its emissions reduction issues paper, and feedback from this paper and the adaptation consultations will inform our 2020 Climate Change Strategy to be released in the Spring.

"If it is the case that our State and the nation continues to experience more severe and frequent extreme events, and that this is the new 'normal' then we need to be ready with the right policy settings for the longer term and a cultural shift around acknowledging the opportunities that acting to mitigate or adapt to climate change bring.

"We're fortunate to have such a strong wealth of experience and knowledge in the Council's membership, and I look forward to their ongoing advice."

Other issues to be considered today include plans for a climate action blueprint, a 2020 Climate Change Strategy and the Tasmanian Government's Forest Carbon Study.

The current membership of the Tasmanian Climate Action Council is:

• Professor Lesley Hughes (Chair) - Australian Climate Commissioner, Head of the Department of Biological Sciences at Macquarie University;
• Jess Feehley (Deputy Chair) - Principal Solicitor at the Tasmanian Environmental Defenders Office, and founding member of the Tasmanian Coastal Alliance;
• Dr Nick Towle - a Burnie-based medical doctor with expertise in sustainable health and living;
• Dr James Risbey - a Senior Research Scientist with CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research;
• Chris Harries - a renewable energy expert and leader of community-based climate change action;
• Professor Jan McDonald - Professor of Environmental Law at the University of Tasmania;
• Dr Anna Lyth - an urban sustainability and regional planning expert with the University of Tasmania;
• Greg Johannes - the Deputy Secretary (Policy) within the Department of Premier and Cabinet;
• Paul Gilding - a corporate adviser specialising in sustainability issues; and
• Rob Nichols - the Managing Director of Nichols Poultry and Blowing in the Wind (renewable energy consultant).

More information on the Climate Action Council can be found here: http://www.dpac.tas.gov.au/divisions/climatechange/action_council