Green Paper - Highlights of the Victorian Climate Change Green Paper

Climate Change Green Paper
Highlights of the Victorian Climate Change Green Paper

PDF Icon Green Paper - Highlights (Printable version, PDF - 66 KB)

Why are we releasing a Climate Change Green Paper?

The Victorian Government has led the way on climate change action. In a new era of national effort to reduce emissions, through the Commonwealth Government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, now is the time to ensure that Victoria is well placed to take advantage of the opportunities created by the transition to a carbon constrained economy. In this climate of opportunity the Victorian Government will drive the development of new technologies, industries and jobs to maximise the benefits to Victorian families, businesses and communities.

Victoria is recognised as a leader in tackling the challenges of climate change

In 2008, as the first step in updating Victoria’s climate change strategy, the Premier hosted the Victorian Climate Change Summit and released a discussion paper - A Climate of Opportunity. Over the past year, the Government has consulted widely on climate change, meeting with individuals, businesses, peak industry bodies and community groups across the State. The Government has also received submissions from Victorians in response to the summit discussion paper.

The Victorian Government will continue to take strong action to give Victoria a competitive edge as we move towards a low carbon economy. We have the strengths and capabilities to be a leading economy in a carbon-constrained world, taking up opportunities for securing new markets and generating many new high quality jobs.

A new role for the State

We are entering a new phase of climate change policy in Australia, and Victoria must act now to ensure the State has a robust framework in place to complement national action and to meet the complex needs of our diverse economy and society. The Commonwealth is committed to introducing a national Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) to put a price on carbon. This national framework will now drive emissions reductions in Australia. The opportunity now exists to more clearly focus State action on policies that complement the national scheme, and which drive our adaptation to the impacts of climate change we cannot avoid.

Victoria’s efforts to support national leadership are vital

Collaboration and leadership at the national level is critical to a successful response by Australia and Victoria to the climate change challenge. Victoria’s policies and actions must contribute to national and international efforts to reduce emissions. Victoria also has a role to play in shaping our national and international contribution to the global mitigation effort based on the latest scientific advice.

If a satisfactory global agreement to combat climate change post-2012 is reached, the Victorian Government will strongly urge the Commonwealth Government to place Australia on a trajectory to achieve a reduction in Australia’s emissions of at least 80 per cent by 2050.

The framework for State action

The Green Paper sets out the challenge of focussing Victorian action across three distinct fronts:

1. Complementing the CPRS to drive emissions abatement in areas of market failure or those sectors not covered by the CPRS

State Government action to reduce emissions will need to complement (rather than duplicate) national developments such as the implementation of the CPRS. Initiatives developed by the Victorian Government, to encourage greater energy efficiency in our households and businesses, drive innovation in low emission energy technologies in Victoria’s interests and to drive emissions reductions in the agriculture sector will become the focus of action.

This paper will address specifi c opportunities in the areas of energy, transport, the built environment, waste, water, agriculture and in our ecosystems.

2. Positioning Victoria to take advantage of the opportunities created by the transition to a carbon constrained economy

The Government’s objective in this area will be to maximise the potential of the “Green Economy” for Victoria - attracting green investments and creating green jobs. The Victorian Government will achieve this primarily by driving innovation and facilitating the development of low carbon industries in the State. The Victorian Government’s upcoming Green Jobs Action Plan will be a key initiative in this area.

The Government’s work in this area will also focus on giving households the tools and the support to efficiently adjust their own behaviour in response to the introduction of a carbon price. The Victorian Government has a range of policies, tools and actions available to it, including providing information as well as financial and institutional support to households. This could include actions to facilitate community led initiatives to encourage homes and businesses to utilize cost effective energy effi ciency measures.

3. Adapting to the impacts of climate change we can no longer avoid

Scientists tell us that some effects of climate change are already unavoidable in the short term. As a result Victorians will need to adapt to these inevitable changes to the natural environment including more extreme weather events and greater fire risks. The Government will ensure the right mix of policies and tools are available to Victorian businesses, households and communities to understand and prepare for climate change pressures before they occur.

Adapting to the unavoidable impacts of climate change will also require the State to change the way it manages the State’s natural resources and the way it delivers public services, in particular health services.

In these ways the Victorian Government will ensure that as the State makes the transition to a low carbon world, its economy remains strong, households are assisted and the response to climate change is consistent with a broader commitment to social justice. The Government has developed five priorities for action within this framework that will give Victoria a strong foundation for further developing its long term response to climate change. The Government is particularly interested in receiving suggestions for policies or projects that fall within these five priorities.

The Victorian Government will:

Drive innovation to position Victoria to capitalise on new jobs and skills, new technologies and new markets and accelerate the transition to a low carbon economy
Support private action to adapt to a changing climate, and undertake adaptation actions on behalf of the Victorian community to protect the environment, key public assets and manage major public risks
Help vulnerable regions, businesses and communities adjust to a carbon price, particularly the Latrobe Valley
Promote low emissions energy technologies as the key to Victoria’s energy future
Establish future-focussed transport, planning and building systems to support a low emissions future and accommodate a changed climate.

Through this Green Paper, the Government is keen to listen to the views of all Victorians on how we can achieve these priorities over the next decade and more.

What Victorians are saying

Many individuals and organisations around Victoria contributed to the Government’s community consultations on climate change, conducted during 2008. While coming from different backgrounds, places and perspectives, the suggestions and submissions made to the Government share some common themes.

Victorians are deeply concerned about climate change, but are unsure about the urgency or severity of the problem. Many people are worried about how climate change will affect their daily lives and their local communities. They are especially concerned about the possibility of increased prices for petrol, electricity and water.
While Victorians are prepared to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions to influence the course of climate change, many people do not have a clear idea of what actions they can take in their personal lives to help to achieve this goal or adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Victorians are interested to understand the availability of Victorian Government programs and services that can help people to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions or become more energy efficient.
Protection of the environment and biodiversity are important priorities for Victorians.
There is broad agreement that low income households must be protected from increasing energy prices and that disadvantaged communities should receive support to help them to adjust to a carbon price.
There is strong support for emissions reduction targets.
There is a strong desire to make the switch to renewable energy such as wind, solar, biomass, biogas and geothermal power.
The need to reduce our reliance on cars and to encourage people to drive ‘greener’ cars is a strong theme in consultations and submissions. Many people support increased investment in Melbourne’s public transport network and greater support for walking and cycling.
Encouraging sustainable planning and building design is advocated by many organisations and individuals. There are calls for substantial planning reform in urban areas, including greater residential density, provision for solar power and on-site co-generation, and sustainable urban fringe developments. Containing urban sprawl is also supported by many people.
Across the state, a significant number of community groups are leading the way in taking action on climate change, including community owned renewable energy projects and community bulk purchase schemes for energy efficient goods and services. Many people felt that stronger support should be given to such community-based initiatives.