- Published:
- Monday 27 July 2015
The Andrews Labor Government today welcomed former Vice President of the United States of America and Chairman of the Climate Reality Project Mr Al Gore to Victoria.
Minister for Environment, Climate Change & Water Lisa Neville this morning joined Mr Gore with the South Australian and Queensland Environment Ministers in discussing the opportunities for new jobs, green industries and growing our economies.
Talking with business leaders last night at Melbourne University and Victorian Ministers this morning, Mr Gore discussed how we can establish the important building blocks for a low-emissions future.
The meeting between the Environment Ministers and Mr Gore reinforces the commitment made at a climate change conference in Adelaide earlier this year that Australian states will collaborate efforts ahead of the 2015 Paris Climate Convention.
There was agreement at the meeting that there is a scientifically-proven need to limit global average warming to below 2 degrees, and to act to avoid dangerous impacts on our communities and economies.
Today’s meeting is an opportunity to also further build on Victoria’s partnership with California, which was initiated by former Labor Government in 2007.
The partnership has seen Victoria collaborating with California – the world’s fifth largest economy – to seize on the opportunities for jobs, growth and investment in the transition to a low carbon emissions future.
The Labor Government is currently developing a Renewable Energy Action Plan, which will outline a comprehensive set of measures to attract Victoria’s share of the significant investment in renewable energy forecast to occur in Australia by 2020. The roadmap for this plan will be released shortly.
The Government has delivered a $20 million New Energy Jobs Fund and streamlined planning changes to give our wind farm industry the support it needs to produce sustainable energy and boost jobs.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment, Climate Change & Water Lisa Neville
“Our discussions have reinforced that climate change is happening. It’s threatening our communities and our environment.”
“We will continue to work collaboratively with other states to harmonise our efforts to achieve a strong outcome in Paris.”
Quote attributable to SA Minister for Environment Ian Hunter
“It is imperative for Australian jobs, businesses, our environment and the health of our communities that every tier of Government must step up to do their bit on climate change.”
“State and territory governments are facing the challenge, but we need to see much stronger action and leadership from our Federal Government.”
Quote attributable to QLD Minister for Environment Steven Miles
“Seeing real action on climate change has been at the heart of my political aspirations since first training as a climate leader with Mr Gore in 2008.”
“As custodians of the Great Barrier Reef, Queenslanders know how important it is to reduce carbon pollutions. That’s why they elected a new government committed to supporting renewable energy.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio
“While Tony Abbott is taking us backwards, Victoria is taking the lead. Renewable energy projects like wind farms create jobs and protect our environment.”