- Published:
- Sunday 29 January 2017
The Andrews Labor Government today announced it will seek to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions by 15 to 20 per cent (from 2005 levels) by the year 2020, setting Victoria on the path to net zero emissions by 2050.
Actions by the Victorian and local governments, business and individuals as part of Victoria’s TAKE2 climate change pledge program will contribute to meeting the new target.
The Labor Government will reduce emissions from the operations of government departments by 30 per cent (from 2015 levels) by 2020.
Since its launch in June 2016, the TAKE2 program has received over 2,400 pledges in total, including:
- 29 local governments representing more than 3 million Victorians
- school and tertiary institutions with more than 240,000 students
- 80 community groups with more than 180,000 members
- 224 businesses with a total annual revenue of more than $209 billion and more than 229,000 employees
The Labor Government today also released Victoria’s Climate Change Framework, setting out the vision for a net zero emissions future.
Alongside these nation-leading actions on climate change, Ms D’Ambrosio also announced that Victoria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Under2 Coalition. This international coalition highlights and promotes climate change action by city and state governments around the world.
Victoria’s Climate Change Bill 2016, currently before Parliament, will ensure Victoria has the right tools for strong, sustained and effective climate change action. The Bill includes requirements to set further interim targets to ensure Victoria stays on the path to net zero emissions by 2050.
For more information on Victoria’s action on climate change, visit www.climatechange.vic.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio
“2016 was officially the world’s hottest year on record but it was also a year Victoria took important steps to reduce the risks of climate change.”
“We’ve introduced our world leading Climate Change Bill, set strong renewable energy targets and appointed Victoria’s first independent Renewable Energy Advocate. Now, we’ve announced ambitious yet achievable emissions targets for 2020 to put us on the path to net zero emissions by 2050.”
“We want to ensure Victoria can maximise job and investment opportunities with a forward thinking approach to climate change.”