Smarter Transport
Getting smart on transport could help us significantly reduce our greenhouse pollution. It's a crucial part of achieving a safe climate for the future. It would also mean cleaner cities, healthier people and affordable living.
That's why Environment Victoria is campaigning for strong government action to clean up Victoria's transport system. Click here to take action and help tell the government Australians want cleaner cars
Transport is responsible for 15% of Australia’s greenhouse pollution – second only to coal fired electricity – and most of this pollution comes from driving cars.
Victorians are already voting with their feet, by switching to public transport where they can. As well as saving money, public transport, walking and cycling helps us get fitter and healthier. However, many families will continue to rely on at least one private car.
With petrol set to become more expensive – as much as $8 a litre by 2018 - fuel efficient cars will help families cut both pollution and their petrol bills.
The Victorian Government could make our transport greener and our cities cleaner by:
1. Planning Melbourne and Victorian towns for accessibility and sustainable transport
Through better planning of our cities, suburbs and towns, we could actually decrease the demand for travel by cutting the need for people to travel as far or as often.
2. Improving public transport
Victorians need a public transport system that is fast, frequent, reliable, safe, accessible, connected and that gets you where you need to go.
3. Active transport
We need to make cycling and walking easier especially in Melbourne’s middle and outer suburbs and across Victoria’s regional centres by investing in behaviour change programs and improved infrastructure.
4. More efficient cars
Australian cars use as much petrol today as they did in 1963. With a strong and mandatory standard for our cars we could make big cuts to our pollution and slash up to $700 a year from the average motorist’s petrol bill.
There's lots of things you can do to green your transport choices. Skate over here to discover them
more resources
Read about the work Environment Victoria did to make transport an election issue in 2010. Pedal over here
And read our reflection on the role of public transport in the 2010 election campaign. Have a squizz
New poll finds Victorians want clean energy action. Is Premier Baillieu listening?
Friday, 9 March 2012
A new survey of attitudes on the environment has found that most Victorians believe the state government has a responsibility to reduce greenhouse pollution....
moreEnergy saving action a good step, climate white paper is next challenge
Thursday, 15 July 2010
Environment groups today welcomed the Victorian Government’s announcement of improvements to the Energy Saver Incentive scheme and registration rebates for low-emission vehicles...
moreCOAG meeting a chance to support greener, cheaper motoring
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting in Darwin tomorrow should introduce fuel efficiency standards for new cars and trucks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fuel bills,...
moreFast-track rail plans, dump road plans: Eddington review a mixed bag
Wednesday, 2 April 2008
Public transport improvements are the answer to Melbourne’s transport congestion problems – not more roads, Victoria’s peak environment group said today. Environment...
moreFree early bird travel a good short-term fix
Tuesday, 18 September 2007
The state government’s plan to introduce free train travel for “early bird’’ commuters was a good short-term initiative, Environment Victoria’s climate change director Tricia...
morePublic Transport the way to beat rising petrol prices
Monday, 14 August 2006
Environment Victoria has welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement to introduce subsidies for LPG conversion and ethanol fuels but has called for the Federal Government to also fund improvements...
moreCommunity vows to fight for Rowville rail
Wednesday, 7 June 2006
Almost 100 Rowville residents this month voted to continue calling on the State and Federal Governments to improve public transport in the region.
Locals crowded the Rowville Community House on June 4 for a...
morePublic transport wins the race, strategy and speed gets them over the line
Friday, 2 June 2006
Parade College has emerged the victorious school in today’s 2006 Public Transport Challenge.
Parade College’s winning strategy included visits to checkpoints...
moreGovernment should ditch freeway plans and ‘get on track’
Wednesday, 17 May 2006
The Bracks Government’s Transport and Liveability Statement makes a substantial commitment to bus funding but fails to invest in much-needed rail extensions to Rowville and...
moreCoalition condemns irresponsible freeway widening plans
Tuesday, 9 May 2006
Widening Monash Freeway at a time of soaring petrol prices is a waste of taxpayer dollars that should instead be invested in public transport, the Coalition for People’s Transport said today....
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Put your money where your mouth is
How you invest and manage your money can have a big impact on our environment. So why not take the Ethical Money Challenge, to ensure that your money is used to create the future you want?
So you’ve tried green cleaning, riding to work and eating green. You’re a real green...
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How many light bulbs does it take to change the world?
At 8.30pm this Sat March 23, millions of Earthlings will switch off the lights for Earth Hour, in a symbolic act of solidarity for climate action.
It’s a great chance to show our leaders that we humanoids DO care about the planet, and to raise public awareness about climate...
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We can’t adapt to 50 degree days
It’s hot outside today. It’s been hot since the start of the year. In fact, the Bureau of Meteorology says six of the first seven days of 2013 were among Australia’s hottest 20 days on record. Tasmania is dealing with the hopelessness of the bushfire aftermath that we...
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Renewables = jobs
The myth perpetuated by the coal industry that renewables are the enemy of jobs is officially busted! Three times as many Victorians are employed in the solar industry as in coal.
One of these industries is fuelling climate change - one has a clean bill of health. It's not...
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Victorian brown coal exports - pipedream or nightmare?
Successive Victorian Governments have eyed Victoria’s brown coal resources and seen a bonanza in waiting. With the world’s second largest brown coal deposit, with an estimated resource of 430 billion tonnes, it's perhaps not surprising governments see dollar signs and forget about...
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Flickr
- Peak oil and Victoria |
- Rethinking Transport for Our Future - Why Melbourne needs sustainable transport |
- A climate change checklist for the State Government’s Transport Plan |
- Walk and Ride on Wednesdays: A Kit for Schools and Parents |
- Cycling into a Sustainable Future: Engaging Schools in Cycling |
- Families of the Future: A community centre course to get families cycling |
- Getting About without a Car: Guidelines for promoting healthy transport to older people |
- Driving Smarter: How to change your driving style to reduce its impact |
- Eating Green: The Environment Victoria Guide to Seasonal Food |
- The Quick Guide to our Community Climate Action Plan |
Nothing to see here. Keep on moving...
