Climate Change Green Paper
Fact sheet - Small business
Fact sheet - Small business (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 small business 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.
- Help vulnerable regions, businesses and communities adjust to a carbon price, particularly the Latrobe Valley.
- 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 pursuit 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.
- Victoria can work with the Commonwealth on national regulatory change to remove barriers to climate change innovation.
- 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.
- 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 climate change effects 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 your region see Climate Change in Victoria: 2008 available at www.climatechange.vic.gov.au.
- 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.
- For advice on how businesses can reduce their energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions visit http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/www/html/1938-energy-and-greenhouse-managementtoolkit.asp.
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.
