The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning has unveiled its climate change strategy and interim targets, to position Victoria as a leader in tackling climate change.
Acting Premier James Merlino said the strategy, Victoria’s Climate Change Strategy, would keep the State on track to meet its target of net zero emissions by 2050 while also seizing the opportunities of climate action, like advancing technology, investing in new industries and creating jobs.
“At the heart of the plan are ambitious targets to reduce emissions by 28-33 per cent by 2025 and 45-50 per cent by 2030,” Mr Merlino said.
He said the Strategy was underpinned by the allocation of more than $100 million to transform the transport sector, which would see up to $3,000 offered to Victorians who bought zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs), and a target that 50 per cent of all new car sales would be ZEVs by 2030.
“Government operations, from schools and hospitals to police stations and metro trains, will also be powered with 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2025 – an Australian first,” Mr Merlino said.
“Victoria is already taking world-leading action to prevent the worst impacts of climate change, as the first Australian State and one of the first jurisdictions in the world to legislate net zero emissions by 2050, with five-yearly targets to make sure we get there,” he said.
DELWP said to achieve the emissions reduction targets its Strategy included actions to transition the State to a clean energy future; invest in innovative technologies; recognise and safeguard the role of the natural environment in reducing emissions; and support Victorian businesses and communities to cut emissions.
DELWP’s 44-page Strategy can be accessed at this PS News link.
