Climate Change Green Paper
Fact sheet - The green economy
Fact sheet - the green economy (Printable version, PDF - 86 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. As we transition towards a “green economy”, the most important 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- While identifying and capturing opportunities arising from climate change is primarily the role of the private sector, the Victorian Government can play a role in facilitating the development of these opportunities. The Green Paper notes that:
- Opportunities exist to improve the energy and resource efficiency of businesses through changing commercial and industrial processes, improving the energy performance of equipment and operating building systems more efficiently. The Government can facilitate the take up of these opportunities – particularly in relation to small and medium sized enterprises.
- 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.
- 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 response. The Government can provide the information and tools to assist business make timely, well-informed and efficient decisions as they adapt to climate change.
- Opportunities exist to improve the energy and resource efficiency of businesses through changing commercial and industrial processes, improving the energy performance of equipment and operating building systems more efficiently. The Government can facilitate the take up of these opportunities – particularly in relation to small and medium sized enterprises.
- A successful response to climate change will involve encouraging individuals, businesses and communities across Victoria to develop knowledge, test solutions and demonstrate new ways of living and working that will make it easier for the rest of the community to adjust.
- As the home of some of the premier universities in the nation and leading scientific infrastructure – such as the Australian Synchrotron – there are opportunities to direct more of Victoria’s scientific research effort towards climate change, mitigation and adaptation. Significant opportunities also exist to capitalise on Victoria’s excellent capabilities in science; for example building upon current support for cleantech ventures (such as the development of large-scale solar power plants) and developing innovative technologies through the Energy Technology Innovation Strategy.
- The Government can also support Victorian businesses to overcome barriers to innovation by sharing the risk of being ‘first movers’ in taking up new technologies, products and services.
- With innovative solutions likely to play a critical part in our response to climate change, the Victorian Government has an important role to play in working with the Commonwealth to make sure that policies at the national level encourage and enable innovative new products, services and processes.
- As the home of some of the premier universities in the nation and leading scientific infrastructure – such as the Australian Synchrotron – there are opportunities to direct more of Victoria’s scientific research effort towards climate change, mitigation and adaptation. Significant opportunities also exist to capitalise on Victoria’s excellent capabilities in science; for example building upon current support for cleantech ventures (such as the development of large-scale solar power plants) and developing innovative technologies through the Energy Technology Innovation Strategy.
- The likely introduction by the Commonwealth Government of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) and the setting of a national target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions 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.
- 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 small to medium sized enterprises which may be impacted by the CPRS. More information on the assistance the Commonwealth will provide to business 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.
