Victoria releases Ambitious Climate Plan To Cut Emissions
T hVictorian Government revealed on Sunday its Climate Change Strategy and interim targets, positioning Victoria as a leader in tackling climate change, it says will creat new jobs and industries of the future.
This strategy will keep Victoria on track to meet our target of net zero emissions by 2050, while also seizing the opportunities of climate action – advancing technology, investing in new industries and creating Victorian jobs. Acting Premier James Merlino said, “With strong action on climate change, we can position Victoria as a global leader – advancing new technology, ground-breaking innovation and driving the creation of new jobs for Victorians.”
At the heart of the plan are ambitious targets to reduce emissions by 28-33 per cent by 2025 and 45-50 per cent by 2030 – putting Victoria at the forefront of Australia’s climate change action.
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio told reporters, “Our action on climate change puts Victoria shoulder to shoulder with the world’s major economies and leaders. This will reduce emissions and create jobs across the economy – from agriculture to transport to energy.”
The strategy is also underpinned by strong action from the Labor Government. That includes investing more than $100 million to transform our transport sector, offering up to $3,000 for Victorians who buy zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs) and a target that 50 per cent of all new car sales in Victoria will be ZEVs by 2030.
Minister for Public Transport, Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll said, “Transport is one of the state’s biggest emitters – but Victoria’s transport sector stands ready to take strong action to ensure a sustainable industry, and future, for our state.”
The Labor Government is also investing almost $20 million to reduce emissions in our agriculture sector and work with farmers to make their farms more sustainable. This includes $3.9 million to fund world-leading research and trials of new feed to reduce emissions from livestock.
A further $15.3 million for the Victorian Carbon Farming Program will help farmers store more carbon in shelterbelt trees and engage in agroforestry.
“Farmers understand better than most of us the very real impacts of climate change. We know farmers want to reduce emissions – and with this strategy, we’ll help them do just that,” Minister for Agriculture and Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas said.
Government operations, from schools and hospitals to police stations and metro trains, will also be powered with 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2025 – an Australian first.
Victoria is already taking world-leading action to prevent the worst impacts of climate change, as the first Australian state and one of the first jurisdictions in the world to legislate net zero emissions by 2050, with five-yearly targets to make sure we get there.
Victoria has already cut its emissions by 24.8 per cent based on 2005 levels, achieving our 2020 emissions reduction target two years early. We are also on track to meet our 2025 target.
The Climate Change Strategy follows the Labor Government’s major investment to transition our state to a cleaner economy, powered by 40 per cent renewable electricity by 2025 and 50 per cent by 2030.
Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula “Victorian industry is already working hard to reduce its carbon emissions. This package will position Victoria as a premium destination for sustainable investment, innovative industry and new jobs.”
The State Government said that acting on climate change creates opportunities. It further stated that Victoria’s Climate Change Strategy will create jobs, stimulate innovation, attract investment, cut energy costs, protect our environment and support our economic recovery.