Friends of the Earth (FoE) Melbourne  is a non-for profit organisation working for a socially equitable and environmentally sustainable future. The international Friends of the Earth network is  active in 77 countries with over 2 million members. Read more.

In November 2018, Victorians will head to the polls. With community concern about climate change on the rise, it's an issue that all political parties must address in detail.

Our state is undergoing profound change as the population grows, entire industries go to the wall, and climate change starts to really impact on our landscapes, economy and lifestyles. Yet Melbourne continues to sprawl, as low density development covers valuable farmland and remnant vegetation, supported by transport infrastructure that will perpetuate our current reliance on cars.

An election provides all parties with the opportunity to demonstrate leadership on the interconnected issues of climate, energy, social justice, and the economy.

Friends of the Earth has welcomed a commitment from Bunnings and Officeworks to only stock Forest Stewardship Council certified wood and paper products by 2020.  

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification is globally recognised as the benchmark of sustainable forestry operations. Victorian government owned logging agency VicForests has applied for the certificate three times and has failed to meet the FSC standards. 

MEDIA RELEASE: 17 September 2018

Victorian Greens, first party to support 100% renewables and a Climate Budget in new climate & energy plan   

The Victorian Greens have become the first political party in the state to call for 100 percent renewable energy and support a Climate Budget with the release of their climate and energy policy ahead of the November election.

Friends of the Earth welcome the announcement saying fresh thinking about climate change policy is long overdue. 

"The Greens announcement sets the bar for action on climate change," said Leigh Ewbank, Friends of the Earth climate spokesperson.

A conference for the community, professionals and all who share an interest in conservation of Melbourne’s Grassy Plains.

The conference will explore the three themes of ‘Respect, Protect and Reconnect’ Melbourne’s Grassy Plains.

Friday 12th October (9am – 5pm) and
Sat 13th October, 2018 (1pm-5pm, lunch 12pm-1pm)
At Wyndham Council Chambers,
45 Princes Highway, Werribee.

AGL are still Australia’s largest climate polluters. They paint themselves as a green and clean company while remaining Australia’s biggest emitter of C02!

They have a dirty plan to turn Westernport Bay into a massive gas import terminal. This will threaten the beautiful Westernport coastline which is a Ramsar-listed wetland and home to rare marine life and migratory birds. Worse still it will increase climate pollution from more dirty fossil fuels we don’t need.

Meanwhile they are feeling Federal pressure for the closure of their Liddell coal station in NSW - let's show AGL that the community backs their decision to help end our dependence on fossil fuels!

Join Environment Victoria, Friends of the Earth, Save Westernport and other allies outside AGLs Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Melbourne Recital Centre on Wednesday 26 September 2018.

With no sign the government is serious about protecting our threatened forests and wildlife before the state election on 24 November, Friends of the Earth, together with Victorian National Parks Association, launched our forests electoral campaign on 11 September at Site Works in Brunswick. 

Brunswick is a great place for us to start ramping up our campaign as it is a key contested seat in the state election and . . .  #BrunswickLovesForests.

MEDIA RELEASE: 11 Sept 2018

Andrews govt’s big renewables announcement lays the foundation for climate leadership as state election approaches

Environment group Friends of the Earth welcome the Andrews government’s announcement today of six new wind and solar farms totalling 928 megawatts to meet the Victorian Renewable Energy Target, and say it lays the foundation to act on climate change.

Friends of the Earth kicked off the grassroots campaign for a Victorian Renewable Energy Target in early 2014 and say today's announcement is a key milestone for the state's renewable energy future as it heads toward 40 percent renewables by 2025.

"Premier Daniel Andrews’ announcement represents the single biggest renewable energy auction in Australia’s history."

"Victoria’s newest wind and solar farms will put downward pressure on power prices and create 1,500 jobs while cutting polluting greenhouse gas emissions," said Pat Simons, Friends of the Earth's renewable energy spokesperson.

"The successful reverse auction shows climate action is good for jobs, power prices, and our economy."

Friends of the Earth say the announcement lays the foundation for another round of renewable energy investment.

Two exuberant drag queens dressed as a Golden Perch and local Yabbie have performed to an audience on the Lower Darling to raise awareness of their threatened survival in the the Murray Darling Basin on threatened species day.

Fox Pflueger the local Yabbie got the crowd wet to a performance of “When the rivers run dry” on the dry and degraded banks of the Darling River at Tolarno Station. Weird Alice the Golden Perch blasted an incredible rendition of “I will Survive” at the Menindee Lakes.

The Menindee lakes is the largest fish breeding ground in the Murray Darling Basin and right now the iconic Golden perch is at risk of extinction because the lakes are being bled dry by over extraction and failed water management.

To mark National Threatened Species Day 2018 we’ve created the Ending Extinction Bill.

We’re showing leadership because our political representatives are failing to.

The Bill calls for strong protections for Victoria’s threatened species and a raft of measures that will stop rare plants and animals sliding further towards extinction.