Call for strong Victorian climate targets

By the end of March the Victorian government will set targets to reduce emissions over the next decade. Call on Premier Andrews to set targets to keep warming under 1.5 degrees.

Take Action

Let Premier Andrews know that this is his test on climate change. Call his office now to let him know that you want our government to set strong climate targets in March.

Office of The Premier: (03) 9651 5000

Call dan andrews

Tips to make your call …

Start by introducing yourself – your name, where you live, and your background (e.g. student, concerned parent, health worker, business owner).

Be clear you’re getting in touch to ask the Premier to set strong climate targets.

Be friendly and polite, while being firm about what you’re asking for. It can be a bit nerve-wracking to contact politicians, but remember – it’s their job to listen to you!

Key points to make:

As this summer’s unprecedented bushfires show us, climate change is putting Victorians at risk.
Victorian climate targets need to be in line with keeping global warming under 1.5 degrees.
That means cutting emissions by at least 65 to 80 percent by 2030.

This is real action on climate change that we can influence right now. It could be the most important decision we make on climate in Victoria this decade.

FAQ

What are Victoria’s emission reduction targets?

Victoria has a legally binding target to reach zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This is set out in the Climate Change Act 2017, which also states the government must set ‘interim targets’ for every five years, starting with 2025 and 2030. These targets are due to be announced in March, so this is a critical time for action on climate in Victoria.

What should the targets be?

We are already experiencing unacceptably dangerous fires, heatwaves, storms and drought at only 1.1 degrees of warming. And it will only get worse if we don’t make urgent cuts to the pollution that is overheating our planet.

Through the Paris Climate Agreement, the international community aims to limit warming to 1.5 degrees. If Victoria wants others to do their part, we must do ours. That means cutting emissions by at least  65 to 80 percent by 2030 to have even a moderate chance of success. Higher targets would be safer.[1]

This is a critical moment to speak up and make sure the government adopts the strongest possible targets.

Why are these targets important?

These targets will influence every decision made on climate in Victoria for the next ten years.

After the targets are set, ministers will need to announce ‘sector pledges’ determining how our most polluting sectors – like electricity, transport and agriculture – reduce emissions. Higher targets will mean more investment in clean energy, efficient housing, more support for farmers to cut emissions, more public transport and more clean technology and design.

This transition can be achieved in a way that is fast but also fair. It’s an extraordinary opportunity to build the more sustainable society we need.

Victoria’s climate targets are being decided right now! Here’s what you need to know.

Environment Victoria

45% by 2030 is a dud target because it forgoes any chance of keeping warming to 1.5 – remembering that even 1.5 degrees of warming is going to have severe consequences.

[1] This range has been calculated by Environment Victoria by reviewing available modelled Australian emissions budgets and calculating Victoria’s proportionate share of these. It is also consistent with the modelling conducted by Melbourne University’s Malte Meinshausen contained in the Combet report to the Victorian government. It is important to note, however, that these emissions budgets were all calculated on the basis of only a medium chance of staying below 1.5 degrees in the long term. As such, even if the world adhered to these budgets there would be a reasonable chance of temperatures going significantly higher. A safer approach would therefore be to reduce emissions much faster. For more information see Environment Victorian’s submission on interim climate targets.