The Victorian government has announced it's next steps towards creating the country's first offshore wind sector, releasing it's second Offshore Wind Implementation Statement and setting a goal to begin procurement by 2025. It's an incredible opportunity to scale up action on climate change, transition the energy system and create thousands of regional jobs.

As the world grapples with the climate crisis, the need to transform our energy systems is only becoming more urgent. In Australia, unions have been at the centre of campaigns for a ‘just transition' to ensure this transition delivers good outcomes for workers and the community.

On the 16th of September 202, several unions, government representatives and environmental groups came together at the Victorian Trades Hall in Carlton for the conference Hitting Targets: A union agenda for a sustainable future. Yes2Renewables collective member Milly attended the conference, which covered key policy levers unions are using to shape the climate agenda.

Victoria's Gippsland region has been announced as the country's first Offshore Wind Zone, marking the beginning of a whole new industry. Kickstarting offshore wind in Gippsland will bring thousands of new jobs to the region, generate local investment, a new source of renewable energy and deliver deep emissions cuts.

Long home to the state's coal fired power stations and the offshore oil and gas sector, Gippsland is a region in transition. Offshore wind presents a new opportunity to action on climate and deliver real benefits to communities and workers.

Just one day after the federal Parliament passed the Albanese government’s emissions reduction target of 43% by 2030, Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen has announced consultation will begin immediately on Australia’s first offshore wind zone off the Gippsland coast.

The announcement comes after years of delay on offshore wind by the previous federal Coalition government.

Environment organisation Friends of the Earth has welcomed the news, and says kickstarting an offshore wind sector in Gippsland will be a game changer for action on climate change while creating thousands of new job opportunities and a new source of energy.

With frequent breakdowns at Victoria’s ageing coal fired power stations, the state has a huge opportunity to lead on offshore wind, create thousands of good jobs and act on the climate crisis.

Earlier this year, the Andrews government has announced it will secure investment in the country's first offshore wind farm this decade, and aims to build a massive 9 GW of offshore wind by 2040. 

In good news for communities across Gippsland the region is set to become the first in the country to host the industry.

The opportunity is huge, and now we need to make sure the start of this new industry delivers real change for regional communities and workers, while protecting the places we love.

Friends of the Earth would love to have a conversation about your hopes and concerns about offshore wind -- we invite you to join a series of community conversations about how Gippsland can make the most of offshore wind, and the renewable energy transformation that is already getting underway.

You can also sign up to lead a community conversation yourself, and we'll make sure to get you skilled up, leading discussions in your community.  

After years of delays and inaction the Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen is set to accelerate offshore wind for Gippsland, which has been designated the first region in the country to develop offshore wind.

Environment organisation Friends of the Earth has welcomed the news, and says kickstarting an offshore wind sector in Gippsland will be a game changer for the state’s efforts on climate change while creating thousands of new job opportunities.

The Latrobe Valley and Gippsland can lead Victoria in renewable energy as the state transitions away from coal-fired power, a report tabled in the state's Legislative Council has found.

Our Gippsland campaigner Wendy Farmer takes a deep dive into the inquiry, how it came about and what it means for the Latrobe Valley.

The Victorian Parliament has today received evidence it can go further and faster on renewable energy to create jobs and cut emissions, just days after a watershed election dominated by the issue of climate change.

Friends of the Earth says the combined evidence of Victoria’s Parliamentary Inquiry into 100% renewable energy and strong public support for action on climate shows the Andrews government can demonstrate greater ambition.

“With the federal election result proving that political parties who take climate change seriously will be rewarded at the ballot box, will Vic Premier Dan Andrews seize the opportunity?" asked Friends of the Earth renewable energy spokesperson Pat Simons.