1
95% renewables by 2035
Labor’s plan means the end of polluting coal power generation in Victoria. Importantly it’s backed by plans to build enough wind, solar and batteries to keep the lights on and power prices down.
Care about climate and clean energy this election? Here’s what you need to know
We’ve analysed the Labor, Coalition and Greens election policy commitments with Environment Victoria’s Clean Energy For All policy platform which focuses on three core policy areas …
1. Power Victoria with 100% clean energy.
2. Support for all households – whether you rent, own, or live in social housing – to become more efficient and go all-electric.
3. Urgently scale up training and education for careers in transition and clean energy.
As part of our analysis we’ve chosen to highlight the three best, and three worst elements of the policy of each major party. Scroll down to see this summary, or click here to see our comprehensive analysis.
SEE THE FULL POLICY ANALYSIS HERE
NOTE: This tracker specifically looks at our Clean Energy for All policy platform. To compare policies on native forest logging, you can see the report card from Victorian Forests Alliance here. To see how the major parties compare on nature and biodiversity you can read this guide from The Conversation.
Labor
Over the past eight years the Andrews government has continually raised the bar for climate ambition among the big mainland states and they are promising to keep doing so if re-elected. Their election promises amount to the most ambitious and comprehensive plan in the country, to transition an emissions intensive economy to one powered by clean, renewable energy. Labor’s 2035 emissions targets will shift the national conversation beyond low-hanging fruit to the challenges of deep decarbonisation. This is a profound contribution to climate action.
That said, and noting that the Commonwealth also has a significant role to play alongside the state government, Labor’s targets still fall short of what is required for Victoria to play its part in helping Australia deliver on its commitment to the Paris Agreement. It does not reflect what the International Energy Agency and the United Nations have advised is needed to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees, which includes phasing out coal power in advanced economies by 2030.
Best of Labor Policies
2
75-80% emissions cuts by 2035
These targets are among the best in the world and shift the conversation beyond low-hanging fruit to the challenges of deep decarbonisation – a profound development.
3
Revitalised SEC
A revived State Electricity Commission could be a powerful tool to reshape Victoria’s energy system and ensure that, from here on, the energy transition is both fast and fair.
Worst of Labor Policies
1
A lot of work needed to improve community engagement on transmission
There is significant community confusion, tension and anxiety regarding the route of transmission lines in Victoria. The Victorian Transmission Infrastructure Framework coordinated by VicGrid is a welcome step towards community engagement. We note, however, that VTIF only applies to Renewable Energy Zones and does not apply retrospectively to transmission proposals that have either commenced or concluded relevant regulatory processes.
2
No commitments to environmental justice in Latrobe Valley regarding mine rehabilitation
The original SEC helped dig the mines, and we’d like to see the same kind of bold commit to environmental justice in Latrobe Valley as there is for a revitalised SEC.
3
No renewable energy industrial precincts
We’d love for Labor to make an announcement on renewable energy industrial precincts – solar and storage opportunities to connect industrial areas to renewables – to round-out their commitment to making renewable energy and storage available for homes.
The Coalition
Overall the Coalition has come a very long way from its days of attempting to block action on climate change and energy transition in Victoria. We applaud their efforts in making this shift and note that the Coalition has developed its policy without the significant analytical resources of government departments. But if Victoria is to play its part in achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and position itself to thrive in the global post-carbon economy, further ambition will be required.
Time is running out to avoid dangerous levels of global warming and we cannot keep kicking the can down the road when it comes to ending Victoria’s climate pollution.
Best of Coalition Policies
1
Supporting 1 million households to install solar and batteries
This is a massive boost for batteries and includes an excellent incentive for landlords to assist renters who right now are being left behind in the transition to renewable energy.
2
Legislating 50% ERT by 2030
Massive step forward for a party that fought action on climate for nearly a decade.
3
Up to $1M for 100 Community solar and batteries
We love community projects!
Worst of Coalition Policies
1
Their commitment to ‘turbocharge’ gas
Despite the Coalition coming incredibly far on climate and energy policy, a key plank of their transition plan is ramping up gas supply for Victoria and treating it as a ‘transition’ fuel. This is a deeply cynical move that will only serve to delay Victoria’s transition to a clean energy future whilst failing to address the very real cost of living pressures faced by many Victorians.
2
Silence on Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET)
The Coalition has not made an announcement on a renewable energy target for Victoria if it forms government, which creates unnecessary uncertainty for renewables investment.
3
The Coalition’s failure to make any kind of commitment to the Latrobe Valley
Mine rehabilitation, the Latrobe Valley Authority, coal closure and transition planning is an enormous gap in their policy platform. The Coalition do not appear to have a transition plan to help Latrobe Valley community transition from coal to a clean, renewable future with comprehensively rehabilitated mines.
The Greens
The Greens policy platform mostly addresses what Environment Victoria thinks is necessary to achieve Clean Energy For All. We acknowledge that this work has been done without the resources of large Ministerial advisory offices and government Departments, and applaud the Greens for having the policy costed by the Parliamentary Budget Office. In fact, their policy platform was clearly informed by climate science and the requirements of social justice; reflecting the urgency required for Victoria to play its part in helping Australia achieve its commitment to the Paris Agreement.
Best of Greens policies
1
Get off gas
The Greens have laid out a plan to get homes and businesses off gas, ban new gas connections by 2025, stop new gas extraction (onshore and offshore), and rule out construction of new gas import terminals.
2
Revamped and legislated Latrobe Valley Authority
The Greens have committed to turning the Latrobe Valley Authority into a statutory Authority, guarantee jobs for workers, and set closure dates for the remaining coal power stations. This lays a strong foundation for a just transition in the Latrobe Valley.
3
100% renewables by 2030
The Greens plan for achieving 100% renewables by 2030 is in line with the International Energy Agency and the UN’s advice on what is needed to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees.
Worst of Greens policies
1
No clear plan for mine rehabilitation in the Latrobe Valley
We’d love to see the Greens develop a plan to push the next government to develop a holistic mine rehabilitation strategy that delivers environmental justice to repair the damage done to the land and to people after nearly 100 years of digging up and burning coal.
2
No engagement plan for transmission
We urge the Greens to step up in what is going to be a challenging issue to get right, ensuring that we can decarbonise without jeopardising biodiversity and cultural heritage.
3
No training and skills program for careers in the energy sector.
We haven’t seen any detail from the Greens yet about their plan to educate and train the workers, technicians and engineers we need to help build and maintain the renewable energy transition.