- Published:
- Thursday 23 February 2017
A survey of Victorians has found 91 per cent believe humans contribute to climate change and one third of respondents rank it as one of the top three most important issues facing the state.
The independent research commissioned by Sustainability Victoria involved interviews with more than 3,300 people.
Only seven per cent of respondents said there was no such thing as climate change or that natural processes caused it.
Four in five Victorians are willing to take action on climate change and understand that a proactive approach will reduce energy bills. The majority say that business and industry should contribute to these initiatives.
The Labor Government, through Sustainability Victoria and other agencies, is working to reduce Victoria’s greenhouse gas emissions by 15 to 20 per cent (from 2005 levels) by 2020, and achieve zero net emissions by 2050.
It is investing in innovative new energy technologies to help generate increased investments, create new jobs and foster a thriving economy and healthy environment.
Recent major energy projects announced in Victoria include:
- three solar generation projects worth $500m in north-west Victoria with a total output of 320MW and capable of powering Victoria’s three biggest regional centres Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo
- a government contract which will deliver two new wind farms in Mt Gellibrand and Kiata which will bring forward $220 million of new investment and create hundreds of new jobs.
- a 75 MW of new large-scale solar farms in regional Victoria, including 35 MW to power Melbourne’s tram fleet
- a 116 wind turbine project given the go-ahead in western Victoria in December
- $5 million to help up to 1,000 homes cut their energy bills in the Latrobe City, Wellington and Baw Baw Shires, with a further $6 million to fund similar upgrades
- $5 million for large-scale energy storage initiatives to strengthen our electricity system
Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio
“Victorians accept the science and know that climate change is not only real, but that government, industry and the wider community must work together to fight it.”
“We're investing in new sources of energy, but we’re also investing in energy conservation and more efficient buildings so the energy we produce is not wasted.”
“Climate change is a complex issue which requires a strategic approach, long-term investment and community action to combat its affects.”