Australia's emissions have increased *again* on the Federal Coalition's watch.

The conservative government’s refusal to tackle the climate crisis leaves communities exposed to intensifying climate impacts, such as the record-breaking heat in East Gippsland on the last day of October.

Meanwhile in Victoria, the Andrews government has less than five months to set Victoria’s first interim Emissions Reduction Targets. Momentum is building for targets that are bold and ambitious.

Here’s a quick update on our efforts over the last month...

The Andrews government has six months to set Victoria’s first interim Emissions Reduction Targets.

We have a tight timeframe to influence the Andrews government’s decision, but we have momentum. The Emissions Reduction Targets have been our central focus in 2019, and we have plenty to show for it: 

• Hundreds of supporters emailed key Cabinet ministers;
• a new ally in the Bass Coast Climate Action Network;
• over 2,500 submissions to the government;
• dozens of media stories including The Age and ABC News;
• a packed-out forum in Inverloch;
• over a dozen meetings with MPs and key advisors; and,
• hundreds of emails to the Premier since the Climate Strike.

Our campaign for Emissions Reduction Targets that keep global warming below 1.5°C comes amid an unprecedented display of community power on climate. Well over 150,000 people joined the September 20 Climate Strike led by school students.

Marches in Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat, Wonthaggi, and other towns demonstrate there’s widespread support for governments to rule out new fossil fuel projects, deliver 100 percent renewables, and ensure a fair and just transition for workers.

Here’s a quick update on our efforts over the last month...

A ‘green new deal’ proposal for a Fair and Just Transition from Friends of the Earth

There is an urgent climate imperative to transform our economy. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report (2018) argued that, by 2030, global emissions must drop by 45% from their 2010 levels if we are to avoid exposing hundreds of millions of people to serious climate-related hazards. A growing body of mainstream climate science says that we need to achieve deeper targets earlier if we are to avoid catastrophic climate change.

We are facing a climate crisis... 

Australia's emissions are rising due to the Federal Coalition's failure to act on climate. And this failure leaves Victorian communities exposed to intensifying impacts such as heatwaves, droughts, bushfires, extreme weather, and rising sea levels.

Victoria has an opportunity to put the country back on track.

For the first time, the Andrews government is about to set an Emissions Reduction Target for 2025. 

The countdown to climate action continues. The Andrews government has less than nine months to set an Emissions Reduction Target for 2025. 

The Federal Coalition has finally caught on to the process occurring in Victoria and they're starting to throw their weight around. Minister for Energy and Emissions Reductions, Angus Taylor, launched a media offensive in late June—branding Victoria’s targets 'crazy.'

Taylor's attack came with revelations EnergyAustralia might close the Yallourn coal power plant years ahead of schedule based on climate and energy policy.

Angus Taylor, the Federal Coalition, EnergyAustralia, and the Australian Industry Group are shaping up as the main Climate Blockers to ambitious climate action in Victoria. 

Here's a quick update on our efforts over the last month...

Time is short...

The Andrews government has kicked off decision making on Victoria's Emissions Reduction Target for 2025 and we have until 22 July to demonstrate strong community support for it to be bold and ambitious.

Will you send a submission to call for a science-based target that meets the 1.5°C challenge?

Australia's emissions are rising due to the Federal Coalition's failure to act on climate. And this failure leaves Victorian communities exposed to intensifying impacts such as heatwaves, droughts, bushfires, extreme weather, and rising sea levels.

Victoria has an opportunity to put the country back on track. So now's the time to take action!

The Australian Industry Group has revealed its true colours on climate, raising serious doubts about whether it has a genuine interest in cutting emissions in Victoria—or any other jurisdiction for that matter.

In a press statement released on Thursday 13 June, the Australian Industry Group gloats about Queensland's approval of a groundwater licence for the controversial Adani coal mine. At no time have the Wangan and Jagalingou peoples given their free, prior, and informed consent for the project.

Sanity prevails with #Adani approval: https://t.co/nOdCztCTTt #ausbiz #auspol

— Ai Group (@The_AiGroup) June 13, 2019

According to the AiG's Shane Rodgers, "...sanity has finally prevailed in the decision-making process on the Adani mine." 

It is a well known fact that the Adani coal mine represents a "carbon bomb" that would accelerate climate change and leave Australian communities exposed to intensifying impacts.

The findings of the ‘Combet report’—the independent advice to the Andrews government on emissions cuts—have been tabled in Parliament. The report has kicked off the decision-making process about Victoria's first interim Emissions Reduction Targets.

Victoria has a legislated target of zero-net emissions by 2050. The government has until 31 March 2020 to set targets for the years 2025 and 2030.

While the Combet Report recommends ‘flexible’ targets of 32-39 percent below 2005 levels by 2025 and 45-60 percent below 2005 levels in 2030, the real test is whether the government will commit to science-based targets that help keep global warming below 1.5°C. 

Here are 10 reasons why we should fight for science-based targets that are both bold and ambitious... 

Where were we on Thursday 6 June when the advice given to the Andrews government  on emissions cuts was tabled in Parliament? In Inverloch were they’ve lost 40m of beach from rising seas and intensifying storm surges!

The release of the independent panel's advice kicks off the next phase of our push for bold and ambitions Emissions Reduction Targets in Victoria. 

We're still digging through the 100-page 'Combet Report' and will have a more to say about it soon. But in a nutshell: We have A LOT or work to do to ensure the Andrews government ramps up its ambition. 

The panel recommended cuts of 32-39 percent below 2005 levels in 2025 and 45-60 below 2005 levels in 2030. Yet these targets fall short of what's needed to meet the 1.5°C challenge. You can read our initial response to the media here. 

With the Federal Coalition refusing to act on climate, we need to see Victoria show greater leadership. And for that to happen we must start taking action today... Here are a few things you can to do to help!