Andrews govt emissions cuts must limit warming to 1.5°C to protect Victorian communities from climate impacts

Friends of the Earth says emissions cuts to limit global warming to 1.5°C will be needed from the Andrews government in order to protect communities from dangerous climate impacts.

The group’s call comes as Independent Expert Panel advice on Victoria’s first interim Emissions Reduction Targets is tabled in the Parliament.

The panel, led by former Federal climate minister Greg Combet, recommends the Andrews government reduce emissions by 32-39 percent below 2005 levels in 2025 and 45-60 below 2005 levels in 2030.  

Friends of the Earth say greater ambition is needed from the state government when it comes to cutting emissions.

The newly-formed Bass Coast Climate Action Network and Friends of the Earth have joined forces to host a community forum on local climate change impacts. 

With dramatic coastal erosion in Inverloch, extreme weather in Cape Paterson making headlines and a recent visit by Climate Minister Lily D'Ambrosio, the event organisers say they want their community to be fully informed about what’s happening here in the context of national and global trends.

Victorian Minister for Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio has visited Inverloch—an emerging frontline of the crisis—to survey dramatic coastal erosion from intensifying storm surges and rising sea levels. 

Act on Climate can confirm the Minister’s fact-finding trip occurred on Friday May 3 with Jordan Crugnale MP, just days after an ABC News report on Inverloch’s plight featuring the work of local citizen scientist Aileen Vening.

"It’s a relief that what I’ve been recording and talking about for several years is now finding a wider audience," said Vening.