Climate Change Green Paper
Fact sheet - Metropolitan Melbourne
Fact sheet - Metropolitan Melbourne (Printable version, PDF - 126 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 metropolitan Melbourne the most relevant are:
- 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.
- Establish future-focussed transport, planning and building systems to support a low emissions future and accommodate a changed climate.
- 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.
- 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.
- The science is telling us that climate change is happening now and has the potential to disrupt our economy, damage our environment and diminish our quality of life.
- Victoria must take strong action to avoid further irreversible climate change, develop a low carbon economy and prepare for the effects of climate change we cannot avoid.
- The impact of climate change will vary across Victoria. For the latest information on what the projected effects of climate change will be for metropolitan Melbourne see Climate Change in Victoria: 2008 available at www.climatechange.vic.gov.au.
- Over the next 10 years trends toward more compact cities will heighten and the outward spread of Melbourne and Victoria’s major centres will be tempered by greater attention to reducing transport costs and greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.
- New homes will operate more efficiently, with recycled water integrated into the plumbing, solar panels installed on the roof and landscaping that shades our homes and captures stormwater on-site to keep our gardens green. Our existing homes will also be retro. tted with energy and water saving technologies.
- Mindful of the increased risks associated with fire, flood and coastal inundation, new homes, buildings and infrastructure in potentially vulnerable locations will be sited, designed, protected or adapted to with stand the future effects of climate change.
- New homes will operate more efficiently, with recycled water integrated into the plumbing, solar panels installed on the roof and landscaping that shades our homes and captures stormwater on-site to keep our gardens green. Our existing homes will also be retro. tted with energy and water saving technologies.
- The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) will result in higher energy prices, encouraging many of us to think more carefully about our energy use and become more energy efficient as we seek to manage these rising costs.
- Where there are issues the CPRS will not address, complementary action may be needed by the Victorian Government to drive greater energy ef. ciency and to assist households and businesses to minimise their energy costs as the price of carbon rises.
- In particular, the Victorian Government will work with the Commonwealth Government in assisting low income households to make the transition to a low carbon economy and ensuring that the impacts of the CPRS are distributed equitably across the community.
- Where there are issues the CPRS will not address, complementary action may be needed by the Victorian Government to drive greater energy ef. ciency and to assist households and businesses to minimise their energy costs as the price of carbon rises.
- The Government can help Victorians to become more innovative in their responses to climate change by ensuring Victoria has a flexible and dynamic economy, with good infrastructure, robust institutions, a low regulatory burden and especially, highly skilled people.
- 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 to the Victorian economy of the CPRS is expected to be small, there will be some industries that experience adverse impacts due to their current levels of energy use.
- 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 available at www.climatechange.gov.au/whitepaper/factsheets/index.html.
- The key role for Victorian climate change policy is to help people, businesses 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.
