Environment groups today welcomed the Labor Party’s announcement of a new scheme to help families reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
Environment Victoria Executive Director Marcus Godinho said, “The Victorian Energy Efficiency Target was good for families and good for the environment.
“Tackling our climate crisis is not only about windfarms and solar plants, it’s about using energy more wisely. Melbourne’s cut its water use by 22% compared with 1990 levels. The challenge is now for households, businesses and government to match our water savings with energy savings.
“The Prime Minister has flagged that energy prices will rise as we tackle climate change and this initiative will help households offset price increases.
“Governments should lead by example and it’s good to see Labor committing to reducing its own energy use and increasing its use of Green Power to 25%.
Environment groups are now calling on all political parties to commit to reducing Victoria’s global warming pollution by 20% by 2020 (on 1990 levels).
“Climate change is the most pressing environmental issue of our time and unless stop our greenhouse pollution increasing each year we are in dire straits.
“Labor’s climate change measures must be brought together under a target to reduce Victoria’s global warming pollution by 20% by 2020 (on 1990 levels).”
Australian Conservation Foundation Executive Director Don Henry said, “Our households are responsible for 25% of Victoria’s greenhouse pollution and these good energy conservation measures will help all of us make a difference.
“The target and market based mechanism requiring a 10 per cent reduction is similar to a successful policy in the UK that has cut emissions and household energy bills.”