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.

Joint Press Release: Friends of the Earth & Friends of Banyule

Thursday 5^th December 2019 

Environmental organisation Friends of the Earth and community group Friends of Banyule have expressed their extreme disappointment at today’s announcement that the Planning Minister Richard Wynne has approved the North East Link.

On Wednesday 3 December, locals gathered at Paul Hamer MP's office to take a stand against the North East Link.

Residents sent a clear message to Mr. Hamer, member for Box Hill, that the community does not support this dangerous project.

Locals are particularly concerned about the dangerous levels of air pollution from the $16 billion North East Link project.  

MEDIA RELEASE: 28 Nov 2019

Victoria's emissions on downward trajectory, but heavy lift needed to avoid dangerous climate impacts

Victoria's annual greenhouse emissions performance data has been released today, as the Andrews government enters a critical decision-making period on state Emissions Reduction Targets. 

The Victorian Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report 2019 shows the state's emissions are on a downward trajectory, though Friends of the Earth says a heavier lift is needed to avoid dangerous climate impacts such as intensifying heatwaves, droughts, bushfires, and sea level rise:

"Community members are looking to the Andrews government to show greater leadership while the Morrison government refuses to tackle the climate crisis," said Leigh Ewbank, Friends of the Earth's climate spokesperson.

"Victoria's emissions are on a downward trajectory, but a heavier lift is needed to protect communities from dangerous climate impacts."

Waste to Energy looks like a green solution to our waste crisis, and a neat way to solve energy prices at the same time. But Friends of the Earth Melbourne is concerned that the strong interest both the ALP and the Coalition are showing in Waste to Energy fails to take into account serious problems, such as health issues and future impacts on our recycling.

Craig is highly dubious of Waste to Energy as a solution for Australia- he found that most “recycled” soft plastics in Sweden actually ended up incinerated!  See 26 minute doco here.

MEDIA RELEASE: Wed 27 Nov 2019

Community calls on Andrews to develop a 50-year sustainable transport plan with Parliament House rally

On Wednesday 27 November, community members took to the steps of Parliament House to mark the 50^th anniversary of Melbourne’s first (and last) integrated transport plan and demand a plan for the next fifty years.

MEDIA ALERT: Wed 27 Nov 2019

Community marks 50-year anniversary of Melbourne’s first (and last) transport plan with Parl House rally

Photo/video opportunity: Victorian Parliament Steps, 10am Wednesday 27^th November

On Wednesday 27 November, community members will take to the steps of Parliament House to mark the 50^th anniversary of Melbourne’s first (and last) transport plan and demand a plan for the next fifty years.

As the viability of traditional fossil fuels are being increasingly questioned in a warming world, state, federal and territory ministers are meeting on Friday the 22nd of November to discuss the future of energy policy in Australia, and alternative projects such as the billionaire-funded Sun Cable solar project are rapidly gaining traction. Amidst news proliferating on climate change, economics and renewable energy, the terms ‘hydrogen energy’ or ‘hydrogen economy’ are bandied about every which way, so you’d be forgiven for wondering: what is the hydrogen economy and why is it that everybody - including big fossil fuel companies - suddenly seems to be talking about it?

We Walked All the Way!

What an epic day! Together we raised over $20,000 for Friends of the Earth's grassroots campaigns for social and environmental justice.

We're so grateful to our community who showed up, donated, and shared their time and energy with us.

#FoEWalkThisWay is a team effort, and we couldn't have done it without you.

Check out this epically cute vid made by a #FriendOfFoE

On Sunday the 3rd of November, members of Energy Justice Victoria (EJV) made the fourth and final stop of their Fossil Frontlines Community Tour, hosted in Traralgon by local Latrobe Valley youth group A New Power.

Traralgon is one of three population centres in the Gippsland region’s Latrobe Valley, lying between the Strzelecki and Baw Baw Ranges. The Valley is a major producer of Victoria’s energy. While the industry has traditionally relied on brown coal, initiatives like the Latrobe Valley Community Power Hub and Friends of the Earth affiliate Earthworker are spearheading alternative small-scale renewable energy projects.