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 countdown to climate action has begun.

The Victorian government has until March 31 next year to set the state's first short- and mid- term Emissions Reduction Targets and we're not wasting any time.

Friends of the Earth's Act on Climate collective is fighting for science-based targets that will get us to zero emissions as soon as possible. 

With Australia's emissions increasing on the Federal Coalition's watch, we need the Victorian Labor government to show greater leadership on the climate crisis to help put the country back on track and avoid runaway climate change. 

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

With the Victorian state election only 100 days away, we’re working hard to ensure that all political parties take meaningful climate and environmental policies to the election.

We’ve been in campaign mode since last August but now we’re getting to the serious part of the race. Back in the 2014 state election, FoE’s smart approach to campaigning helped deliver the key environmental wins that were achieved, including:

• The permanent ban on fracking in the state
• The extension of the moratorium on onshore conventional gas drilling
• Our campaign to win the commitment to develop a Victorian Renewable Energy Target (the VRET), and
• Helping secure the safe passage of the re-built Climate Change Act through the Upper House.

This is a high stakes election.

We all know that the state election which will happen on November 24 is a high stakes one for climate and environment policy. With the Coalition threatening to tear up the state renewable energy target (VRET) and gas moratorium we worked so hard to achieve, we have a lot to lose if we cannot shift their current policies.

With less than four months til the election, we are working as hard as we possibly can to ensure all political parties go to the election with solid environment and climate policies. We’re working on the ground with regional and suburban communities, in places as diverse as Maryborough in north central VIC to Bass, on the eastern fringe of Melbourne.

MEDIA RELEASE: 1 June 2018

Today’s announcement by the Andrews government that it will extend the licenses of the Latrobe Valley’s major power plants undermines its credentials on climate change and raises the potential that Victoria’s transition to a low carbon future will stall.

“In the 21^st century, with what we know about climate science and the imperative to transition as rapidly as possible to 100% renewables, any announcement to keep coal fired power stations open can only be bad news for the climate” said Friends of the Earth campaigns co-ordinator Cam Walker.

MEDIA RELEASE: 1 May 2018

Climate and environment: Big-ticket items the missing piece of the puzzle in Vic budget 2018

Environment group Friends of the Earth says big ticket items to tackle climate change and protect Victoria’s environment are the “missing piece of the puzzle” in budget 2018/19—a disappointing one for the environment. 

The Andrews government’s allocation towards climate change and environment is down from last year’s budget--from $798 million in budget 2017/18 to $266 million this budget cycle.

"With climate change impacts becoming more and more obvious, it’s disappointing to see the Andrews government’s 2018 budget fail to deliver big ticket items for climate change and environmental protection," said Leigh Ewbank, Friends of the Earth spokesperson.

“The community is looking to the Labor government to have vision when it comes to our environment—such as by establishing the Great Forest National Park and championing the rollout of renewable energy.”

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.

In November 2018, Victorians will head to the polls. It is an opportunity for political parties to present detailed plans for responding to these challenges.   

We are almost at full capacity to launch exciting new campaign to realise our vision for Victoria: a state that works for people, climate, environment, and economy on May 24.

We have 6 months to make a difference! Please RSVP to avoid disappointment at foe.org.au/6months.

Quit Coal’s campaign Energy Justice Victoria is pushing for a needs-based energy system that allows access to 100% clean, fair and affordable energy for all.  We want to ensure that while we work for a rapid transition away from coal in Victoria, we address other key problems in the energy market such as corporate corruption, high power prices and energy poverty.  We see public, democratic control and ownership of energy is an essential part of reworking our energy system and transitioning to 100% renewable energy.

“The real solutions to the climate crisis are also our best hope of building a much more enlightened economic system, one that closes deep inequalities, strengthens and transforms the public sphere, generates plentiful, dignified work and radically reins in corporate power.” - Klein

Due to the Federal Coalition government’s continued failure on climate action, state and territory governments must step up and lead.

The Victorian government has the opportunity to establish itself as national leader on climate change by setting ambitious Emissions Reduction Targets (ERTs). The importance of these targets was articulated by renowned environmentalist Paul Hawken at the recent Climate Change Drawdown Summit in Bendigo.