As you know, Friends of the Earth and the Act on Climate collective have been campaigning for Victoria to set science-based Climate Targets since 2017.
The state government was required to set the targets for 2025 and '30 in March 2020... It's now April 2021 and we're still waiting for an announcement. It's time to raise the heat on the issue to break the stalemate.
Here’s a quick update on our efforts over the last month and upcoming actions to secure them...
TAKE ACTION: WHERE ARE VICTORIA'S CLIMATE TARGETS?
The United States will announce its 2030 Emissions Reduction Target at President Joe Biden's World Leaders Climate Summit on Thursday 22 April... When will the Andrews Labor government announce Victoria's targets?
We need your help to break the stalemate and secure the announcement. Ambitious targets will continue the rollout of renewable energy, drive greater investment in Public Transport, require greater protection of native forests, and more.
We've pulled together an online action that allows you to email your local member of Parliament to ask a simple question: Where are Victoria's climate targets? We believe that mass participation in this action will shake things up.
CLICK HERE to email your local MP today.
PEOPLE'S CLIMATE STRATEGY TO BE LAUNCHED AT TRADES HALL: 
Friends of the Earth has been working with community members across the state since July last year to write a People’s Climate Strategy for Victoria.
We're excited to announce that the People's Climate Strategy will be launched with a special event at the historic Trades Hall—home of the Victorian union movement—on Earth Day, Thursday 22 April.
Over 1,000 community members have shaped the strategy with their local knowledge about climate impacts and ideas for the climate solutions they want to see from governments.
Join us on the night to be among the first to hear about the findings and our plans for how the climate strategy will influence state and federal politicians (hint: we’ll need your help!). The event will feature speakers from School Strike for Climate, Disability Resources Centre, Trades Hall, Friends of the Earth, and more.
CLICK HERE to secure your seat (only 100 are available so get in quick so you don't miss out).
CALL FOR SCOTT MORRISON TO TAKE REAL COMMITMENTS TO BIDEN'S CLIMATE SUMMIT:
United States President Joe Biden has invited Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison to attend a World Leaders Summit on Climate Change.
The high-powered summit on Earth Day, April 22, is designed to secure commitments from 40 countries to increase ambition on climate ahead of the critically important COP26 meeting in Glasgow this November.
Communities across Australia have shown incredible resolve by rebuilding after climate-fuelled bushfires and floods, and leadership by shifting to renewable energy sources.
It's time for the Federal government to show the same level of commitment on climate.
SIGN THE PETITION to call on PM Scott Morrison to take real commitments to Biden's Earth Day summit.
YALLOURN COAL CLOSURE ANNOUNCEMENT "TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE" FOR CLIMATE: 
In March, EnergyAustralia, the owner of the coal-burning Yallourn power plant in Victoria, announced that the facility will close in mid 2028.
Friends of the Earth say the proposed 2028 closure date for Australia's most polluting power plant is "too little too late" on climate:
"If we’re to avoid catastrophic climate impacts such as the Black Summer bushfires," I told Renew Economy, "then all levels of government must plan for a fast and fair closure of coal-burning power stations."
READ Friends of the Earth's full response to the announcement. 
OCEAN RALLY AGAINST SEISMIC BLASTING & OFFSHORE GAS EXPLORATION:
The Otways Climate Emergency Action Network organised the rally at NOPSEMA headquarters and march to Parliament House to send a message to gas drillers and governments... No Seismic Blasting... No New Gas!
WATCH a video from the rally and follow OCEAN.
COMMUNITY WIN - WESTERNPORT BAY PROTECTED FROM GAS-IMPORT TERMINAL:
Victorian Planning Minister Minister Richard Wynne has rejected AGL Energy's proposal for a polluting gas-import terminal in Westernport Bay.The announcement comes in response to a powerful local community campaign to protect Westernport Bay from polluting industrial development. It's a reminder that when communities get organised, they can win.
Hats off to local campaigners, Environment Victoria, Victorian National Parks Association, Environmental Justice Australia, and everyone involved in securing this amazing outcome for community, climate, and environment.
CLICK HERE to celebrate the win online.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- April 2-5 - Goongerah - Easter Long Weekend at Camp Errinundra, Goongerah Environment Centre (GECO)
- April 10 - Stop Aboriginal Deaths in Custody - 30 Years Since the Royal Commission... Still No Justice, Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance
- April 10 - Green your Noise Launch, Green Music Australia
- April 18 - Reset Climate Change with Ross Garnaut, Eltham Bookshop
- April 21 - Yallourn Closure and Moving Beyond Coal, Environment Victoria
- April 22 - People's Climate Strategy Launch, Friends of the Earth
- April 28 - Climate Targets & Tariffs: Australia on the World Stage, Lighter Footprints
And remember, you're always welcome to join us for our weekly Act on Climate meetings.
In 2021 we're rotating between face-to-face meetings at Friends of the Earth's home base in Collingwood and online meetings via Zoom. Please email me for the Zoom link.
That's all from us for now. See you on the campaign trail...