Climate Change Green Paper
Fact sheet - Local government
Fact sheet - Local government (Printable version, PDF - 103 KB)
What is the Victorian Climate Change Green Paper?
- The Climate Change Green Paper is the next step in the development of a comprehensive new climate change strategy for Victoria out to 2020.
- We are seeking your feedback on:
- a) how we can adapt to the impacts of climate change that we can no longer avoid; and
b) how to capitalise on the opportunities our transition to a low carbon economy will bring.
- The Green Paper sets out five priorities for Victorian Government action. For local governments the most relevant are:
- Help vulnerable regions, businesses and communities adjust to a carbon price, particularly the Latrobe Valley.
- 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.
- Establish future-focussed transport, planning and building systems to support a low emissions future and accommodate a changed climate.
- Help vulnerable regions, businesses and communities adjust to a carbon price, particularly the Latrobe Valley.
- Working on behalf of – and in partnership with – Victorian communities, local government has been at the forefront of local climate change response for several years. Currently, councils across Victoria are playing a major role in developing and facilitating local climate change initiatives, customising responses to suit local circumstances and engaging their communities in discussion about the potential local impacts of climate change.
- Changes to our climate and the economic changes that the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) will bring, will affect different regions and communities in different ways.
- Local government has an important role in monitoring the effects of national policies on local and regional communities, industries and economies.
- Local governments are best placed to respond to local climate change impacts and to build community capacity to respond and adapt to climate change.
- Local government has an important role in monitoring the effects of national policies on local and regional communities, industries and economies.
- The Green Paper notes that:
- Across Australia, the Commonwealth Government, State and Territory governments, and local government will need to work together, cooperating to ensure that policies and programs are effective and well-targeted;
- Partnerships between the Victorian Government, local councils and community groups will also be essential in strengthening the resilience of communities in the face of climate change and encouraging local action to maintain community liveability as the impacts of climate change become more apparent; and
- Local government will also need to change its own practices and operations, leading by example in reducing emissions from public services and facilities and becoming a ‘first mover’ in using new technologies and adopting new ideas.
- Across Australia, the Commonwealth Government, State and Territory governments, and local government will need to work together, cooperating to ensure that policies and programs are effective and well-targeted;
- The impact of the changing climate will be felt differently across Victoria’s regions. As a result, there can be no ‘one size fits all’ approach to making sure that our regions are resilient to climate change.
- One critical aspect of ensuring that our regional communities adapt successfully to the impacts of climate change is to develop a robust understanding of likely regional changes in the climate.
- Climate change will also add to the other challenges facing regional Victoria, such as unprecedented population growth and an increasingly competitive economic environment. Integrating climate change considerations into regional planning is a key challenge for many regional communities over the coming decades.
- The Victorian Government can continue to play a strong role in fostering industry and regional development by attracting new investment and signalling Victoria’s intention of becoming a location for new energy ideas, expertise and initiatives. Further activity in this area has the potential to drive important innovation in clean energy technologies, and to boost regional development through large-scale projects.
- To secure opportunities and move smoothly to a low carbon economy, the Victorian Government will be working towards developing an appropriately skilled workforce – through a Green Jobs and Economy Action Plan.
- The likely introduction of the CPRS and the setting of a national target for greenhouse gas reductions by the Commonwealth Government represent one of the biggest changes to the Australian economy in the last 20 years.
- The Victorian Government supports the introduction of emissions trading as the most efficient way to reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions.
- While the overall impact on the Victorian economy of the CPRS is expected to be small, there will be some regions that experience adverse effects due to their current dependence on emissions intensive industries (such as coal-fired electricity generation).
- The Climate Change Action Fund (CCAF) has been established by the Commonwealth to assist in smoothing the transition to a low pollution future, by providing assistance to regions, households and businesses. More information on the assistance the Commonwealth will provide is available at www.climatechange.gov.au/whitepaper/factsheets/index.html.
- The key role for Victorian climate change policy is to help people, regions, industries and communities across the State manage the transition to a low carbon economy, capture new opportunities and help the community adapt to the impacts of a changing climate.
The Victorian Government will undertake a comprehensive process of consultation over the coming months, engaging with industry, business, individuals and community groups, to help shape its new climate change framework.
How do I make a submission?
Submissions can be sent via mail or online at www.climatechange.vic.gov.au
POST addresst:
Premier of Victoria
Climate Change Submission
GPO Box 4912 Melbourne 3001
Closing date for submissions: 30 September 2009.
Further information
Victoria’s climate change website, www.climatechange.vic.gov.au, provides more details about the Climate Change Green Paper and Victorian climate change policy.
