Climate Change Green Paper
Fact sheet - The new role for the Victorian Government
Fact sheet - The new role for the Victorian Government (Printable version, PDF - 97 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 Commonwealth Government’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) alters the Australian climate change policy landscape. Putting a price on such emissions represents one of the biggest changes to the Australian economy in the last 20 years.
- As the Commonwealth Government’s approach to climate change policy has evolved, so too must the Victorian Government’s climate change policy agenda. The Green Paper sets out the challenge of renewing Victoria’s climate change strategy focussing 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 programmes to reduce emissions will need to complement (rather than duplicate) national policy action.
- Initiatives developed by the Victorian Government, to encourage greater energy efficiency in our households and businesses, spur innovation in low emissions energy technologies and drive emissions reductions in the agriculture sector will become the focus of action.
- Initiatives developed by the Victorian Government, to encourage greater energy efficiency in our households and businesses, spur innovation in low emissions energy technologies and drive emissions reductions in the agriculture sector will become the focus of action.
- 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 and Economy Action Plan will be a key initiative in this area.
- 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 and Economy Action Plan will be a key initiative in this area.
- The Government will also focus on giving households the tools and the support to adjust their own behaviour efficiently in response to the introduction of a carbon price.
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 and infrastructure, including health services and public transport.
- 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.
- State Government programmes to reduce emissions will need to complement (rather than duplicate) national policy action.
- The Victorian Government has long supported the introduction of emissions trading as the most efficient way to reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions.
- The Government, however, reserves its final opinion on the design of the CPRS until the relevant legislation is passed by the Commonwealth Parliament.
- If the final CPRS design fundamentally differs from the proposals set out by the Commonwealth, the Victorian Government will consider its options for dealing with any outstanding gaps. In particular, Victoria will not abolish or scale back State emissions abatement initiatives until an effective Commonwealth equivalent is in operation.
- The Government, however, reserves its final opinion on the design of the CPRS until the relevant legislation is passed by the Commonwealth Parliament.
- In 2006, the Victorian Government set a long-term target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60 per cent by 2050, compared to 2000 levels. This target was based on the best available scientific evidence at the time and – when introduced – was a world-leading initiative to tackle climate change.
- While Victoria has been a leader in setting emissions reduction targets, the introduction of the CPRS means that a binding emissions reduction target set by the Victorian Government would distort the operation of the national scheme – for no direct environmental benefit.
- Accordingly, there is no benefit in legislating for a State-based emissions reduction target that is inconsistent with a national target.
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.
- Accordingly, there is no benefit in legislating for a State-based emissions reduction target that is inconsistent with a national target.
- The key role for Victorian climate change policy now 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 Green Paper sets out five priorities for Victorian Government action:
- 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.
- 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 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.
