Climate Change Green Paper
Fact sheet - Regional Victoria
Fact sheet - Regional Victoria (Printable version, PDF - 121 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 regional Victoria the most relevant are:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The impact of climate change 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. For the latest information on what the projected impacts of climate change will be for your region see Climate Change in Victoria: 2008 available at www.climatechange.vic.gov.au
- 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. In the short-term, the major adaptation challenge for our regions will be coping with an increasingly variable water supply. The Government is tackling this challenge by developing regional sustainable water strategies for long-term water security across Victoria, through the Our Water Our Future action plan.
- Climate change will also have a multiplying effect on 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.
- Actions taken by the private sector in Victoria are vitally important to adapting successfully to climate change. These actions will result in the most innovative, locally-appropriate and cost effective adaptation responses. The Government can provide the information and tools to assist regional communities and households make timely, well-informed and efficient decisions as they adapt to climate change.
- 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 to become 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 economic changes that the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) will bring, will impact upon different regions in different ways. While the Commonwealth Government has the primary responsibility to help regions, businesses and households adjust to the creation of a carbon price, the Victorian Government can help ensure the fundamental strength and resilience of the State’s regions.
- The likely introduction of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (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.
