Great energy leap as Victoria sets 75-80% emissions target by 2035

Environment Victoria welcomes today’s announcement that the Andrews government has set its greenhouse emissions reduction target for 2035 at 75-80% of 2005 levels, putting in place some of the most ambitious climate targets of any jurisdiction in the world.

“In legislating this target, Victoria will have shifted from having the dirtiest power system in the country to the cleanest, driving down emissions and the cost of energy. This will also put Victoria on track to reach net zero emissions by 2045,” said Environment Victoria CEO Jono LaNauze.

“This is what clean energy leadership looks like – Premier Dan Andrews and Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio have today cemented a key element of the once-in-a-generation energy shift they committed to at the state election.”

This comes after the government’s own Independent Expert Panel for the Victorian 2035 Emissions Reduction Target recommended adopting the highest end of the 75-80% range noting that the higher target is “achievable with the accelerated deployment of known solutions”.

The Independent Expert Panel also highlighted the urgency of government action to drive the transition off fossil gas, noting that ‘Victoria will need to rapidly phase down the use of natural gas to meet the 2035 target and ultimately phase out the use of natural gas to achieve net zero by 2045.’

“With the transition off coal now well underway, the Andrews government needs to shift its attention to supporting households and businesses to get off polluting and expensive gas” said Mr La Nauze.

“The Andrews government should use next week’s budget to bolster today’s commitment by including significant investments in Victoria’s clean energy transition – including ramping up support for the SEC and rapidly electrifying homes across the state.”