The Victorian Government’s investment in climate adaptation needs to be larger and ongoing to enable the immediate and extensive adaptations to prepare for now unavoidable climate impacts.
Victoria is at the forefront of emissions reduction, but it is falling behind on climate adaptation, despite the risks of not investing in preparedness being clear.
Victoria is one of the most vulnerable states in the world - it is in the top 5% of highest risk states globally. There has been a 74% increase in damage to property in Victoria from 1990 to 2050.
Climate impacts and disasters are costing the Victorian Government billions and escalating social problems. Funding adaptation now will reduce recovery costs, as well as ease pressure on our health system and economy from climate impacts.
We need to spend money now to protect people later, as waiting to respond to these disasters greatly increases the long-term monetary and societal cost.
DOWNLOAD our Fund Community-Led Climate Adaptation booklet
with an A3 poster of examples of community adaptation initiatives inside
The Government needs to increase the amount invested in adaptation measures in the state, at least matching the Federal Government’s Disaster Ready Fund contribution, and make this a feature of the budget every year to ensure Victorian communities are as prepared as possible.
Its adaptation planning work needs to be backed up with ongoing funding and public communication. This will ensure communities are prepared and aware of the climate impacts forecast to affect Victoria.
The funding of climate adaptation needs to be:
1. ADEQUATE
2. ONGOING
3. FOR COMMUNITY-LED SOLUTIONS
1. Adequate Funding
Funding needs to be adequate according to the risk to life and quality of life facing Victorians, as well as the monetary risk facing Victoria. Adequately funding adaptation now will save on the future costs of responding.
$1 invested in risk reduction is estimated to save $2-$11 in recovery and reconstruction. Only responding is likely to cost 11 times more.
Without increased adaptation funding, insurance costs will continue to grow. And preparing the community against expected climate impacts is crucial to safeguard critical systems and people, and ultimately leads to improved social, economic, and environmental outcomes.
83.75% of submissions to the Victorian Government’s Climate Resilience Inquiry
noted that more climate adaptation funding is needed.
2. Ongoing Funding
This funding needs to be ongoing to ensure the continuity of adaptation initiatives and the entrenchment of climate adaptation within communities to provide real climate resilience.
Funding is currently provided in the form of competitive, oversubscribed grants. Current once-off grants do not provide enough funding nor the consistency needed for climate adaptation.
49.58% of Climate Resilience Inquiry submissions
mentioned that ongoing climate adaptation funding is needed.
3. Community-Led Solutions
Funding needs to be community led to ensure it goes towards fulfilling fundamental needs and keeping everyone in a community safe as we adapt to a changing climate.
Community-led adaptation is pivotal because it is grounded in community knowledge, expertise and priorities. It takes into account local knowledge and experiences of climate impacts. Localised solutions are more just and maladaptation is avoided.
61.67% of Climate Resilience Inquiry submissions
mentioned that climate adaptation should be local place-based or community-led.
42.92% of Climate Resilience Inquiry submissions
mentioned that climate adaptation should be Indigenous-led or follow Indigenous knowledge.
74.58% of Climate Resilience Inquiry submissions
mentioned that those most at risk must be kept safe.
We call on the Victorian Government to establish a permanent Victorian Community Climate Adaptation Fund (VCCAF)!
Previous VIC Government climate adaptation schemes show high demand - the government can build on these successful grant scheme models by establishing a permanent Victorian Community Climate Adaptation Fund (full policy proposal here).
The fund, starting at 25 million per year and scaled up as needed, would distribute money annually to community groups that undertake localised adaptation and resilience projects. This approach would help the government meet its obligations to the Victorian Climate Change Act (2017) and ensure Victorian communities can enhance their capacity to adapt to impacts.
Investing in this fund will reduce costs to the Government and Victorians by keeping people, Country and infrastructure safe from the risks presented by the climate impacts that are unavoidable and here now.
Over a third of Climate Resilience Inquiry submissions (39.58%)
called for a Victorian Community Climate Adaptation Fund (VCCAF).
If you haven't already, please add your name to the call for a Victorian Community Climate Adaptation Fund. We need community-led climate adaptation that is continuously and adequately funded. This funding will enable communities to fulfil their plans to build resilient communities in a changing climate and keep those most at risk safe.
What could this fund be used to fund?
DOWNLOAD and print our poster of examples of community adaptation initiatives
Together we can prepare communities for now unavoidable climate impacts.
Join the Frontline Climate Alliance Vic for support to prepare your community for locked-in climate impacts!
Stay tuned for further updates from Friends of the Earth's Act on Climate collective as we campaign for community-led climate adaptation by signing up for campaign updates here.