Andrews Government reveals ambitious emissions strategy

After shaving a quarter off its carbon emissions in 15 years, Victoria plans to slash even more in less than a decade.

The Andrews government has released details of their new climate change strategy. Picture: Jason Edwards

The Victorian government has revealed an ambitious plan to halve its carbon emissions in less than a decade, after cutting its emission levels by nearly 25 per cent in 15 years.

The state plans to reduce carbon emissions by 28 to 33 per cent by 2025 and 45 to 50 per cent by 2030 in a bid to boost its climate change credentials.

The major policy release, which is more than a year late, aims to cement Victoria’s path to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and includes updated targets for reducing pollution by 2025 and 2030.

“We want to be the nation leader in this space and getting to 50 per cent by 2030 means that is exactly what we will achieve,” Acting Premier James Merlino said.

“The science is clear, climate change is happening. You’ve got a choice: you can either ignore it or you can take action and see it as an opportunity.

“This is all about future generations. Call it an environment argument, call it an economic argument. Those who act early will reap the rewards and we want that to be Victorians.”

Those interim targets are based on the 2005 emissions levels. The state has cut emissions by 24.8 per cent since that year.

All government operations including schools, hospitals and police stations will be powered by renewable energy by 2025 to help reach the state’s new emissions target.

The government claims it will now achieve the greatest reduction in actual emissions than any other major Australian state by 2030.

In a direct swipe at the federal counterparts in Canberra, the state’s energy, environment and climate change minister, Lily D’Ambrosio also slammed Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s performance at the Biden Climate Change summit, and ongoing his commitment to emissions reduction.

“The Commonwealth government cannot continue to abrogate its responsibilities when it comes to climate change,” she said.

“Nothing was more embarrassing than the display of the Prime Minister at Joe Biden’s climate summit that was held two weeks ago. “

That (was) appalling, that is not where Victoria wants to be and it is not Victoria. Victoria is better than that….but we need the Commonwealth to step up and take responsibility.”

The Climate Council backed Victoria’s new emissions targets, claiming they would help create more clean jobs and investment opportunities across the state.

“Given the extraordinary economic opportunities for Victoria from investing in clean technology and new industries, a higher emission reduction target is a pathway to more clean jobs and investment, cleaner and cheaper electricity, and healthier communities,” spokesman Professor Will Steffen said.

“Victoria is incredibly vulnerable to climate change impacts, having experienced severe drought, soaring temperatures, and the 2009 and 2019-2020 megafires. The faster Victoria acts and the higher it aims, the more Victorians benefit.”

FARMERS, MOTORISTS TARGETED IN EMISSIONS STRATEGY

Almost $20 million will be spent slashing farmers’ emissions and motorists would get up to $3000 to buy electric as part of the Andrews Government’s new climate change strategy.

A rapid expansion of renewable power, more energy efficiency in homes and businesses, and the announced closure of the Yallourn coal-fired power station in 2028 will allow Victoria’s targets to move to a more ambitious level than in most other states by the end of this decade.

As part of the agricultural component of the package, $15.3 will be spent on research and trials to reduce emissions on farmland — including by feeding seaweed to cows.

The feed additives reduce the amount of methane produced when cows release gas.

Up to 250 farmers will also be able to tap into $5 million in grants for tracking and reducing emissions on their land.

Bob Davie, whose family has farmed a property on Phillip Island for 70 years, has been carbon neutral since 2014 by developing a carbon sequestration initiative.
His family has removed and capture carbon dioxide by mass planting tree and plant species, mulching crops back into the land, and rotating cattle through paddocks.

“You could spend money on a machine that costs $1000 a tonne to draw in carbon from the atmosphere, or you could use Australian farmers,” he said.

Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said climate change was “a significant challenge facing the agriculture sector”.

“This package makes it easier for farmers to take action to reduce emissions, and will help fund cutting edge research,” she said.

Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the state was well-placed to be a leader in agricultural reform “without compromising its growth or profitability.”

“We will work hand-in-hand with industry to shape and implement this important work,” she said.

The Andrews Government is likely to point the finger at the federal government for failing to do more heavy lifting when it releases the state blueprint.
But the government has also been under pressure from environmental groups about a state plan to slug electric vehicle users through a new road use tax of 2.5c a kilometre.

The government has moved to offset anger by pledging subsidies of up to $3000 for 20,000 motorists who buy electric vehicles.
The government will also spend $19 million on new charging stations and expand the government electric car fleet by 400.

[e-mail]