Advocacy on behalf of local government on climate change related issues is a key function of the Victorian Greenhouse Alliances.
This page contains key joint advocacy submissions on behalf of the Victorian Greenhouse Alliances. Individual advocacy submissions can be found on each of the alliance websites.
Federal Electric Vehicle Strategy
In October 2022 the Victorian Greenhouse Alliances collaborated to write a submission to the Federal Electric Vehicle Strategy consultation by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, and Local Government. Our submission can be accessed here.
Planning for a Safe Climate
As part of advocacy to improve the response of the state planning system to climate change, the Victorian Greenhouse Alliances commissioned a research report in 2021 on the current state of the system. This report by Hansen Partnership, details much needed areas for improvement in the current planning system, and the Alliances with CASBE are pushing for changes to the system to tackle climate change. Find out more here.
2022 Victorian Government Interim Emissions Target Review for 2035
This submission recommended that the Victorian Government:
Electricity Distribution Price Review
In 2016, the Victorian Greenhouse Alliances secured +$22M in savings for councils across the state through a sector wide submission to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER). The AER’s pricing determination supported the local government assessment of costs for the operation, maintenance and replacement (OMR) charges for street lights.
In 2020, the Alliances led another sector-wide submission to the AER’s review of pricing for the period to 2025. The alliances advocate for further OMR savings for street lights and changes to ensure that energy distributors facilitate the uptake of renewable energy and improve action to respond to climate change.
Climate positive stimulus opportunities
Economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic can also transition to zero carbon emissions by developing local skills and supply chains. The Alliances’ joint statement outlines key stimulus measures to deliver outcomes through local government. The statement has been to the Victorian and Commonwealth Treasurers, the National COVID-19 Commission, and decision-makers in agencies and other partnerships reporting to the Victorian Government.
Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Communities Tackling Climate Change
The Alliances made individual but aligned submissions to the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Tackling Climate Change, and each gave evidence to regional hearings. The final report in 2020 has a number of recommendations that the Alliances have been directly advocating for, including a recommendation for the Victorian Government to strengthen the role of the Alliances, recognising them as best practice models for climate change governance.
Technology Investment Roadmap
The Alliances’ submission on the Roadmap discussion paper in May 2020 highlighted the urgent need for a national climate and energy policy framework. It also raised direct concerns that the Roadmap is not sufficiently targeted to achieving zero emissions.
Victoria’s Interim Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Targets
The Alliances provided a joint response on targets and priority actions in 2019. The submission advocated for strong interim targets in 2030 based on the Independent Expert Panel’s advice. It also identified key issues in setting targets and policies and priority programs to limit temperature rise to the safe climate level of less than 2 degrees.
This page contains key joint advocacy submissions on behalf of the Victorian Greenhouse Alliances. Individual advocacy submissions can be found on each of the alliance websites.
Federal Electric Vehicle Strategy
In October 2022 the Victorian Greenhouse Alliances collaborated to write a submission to the Federal Electric Vehicle Strategy consultation by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, and Local Government. Our submission can be accessed here.
Planning for a Safe Climate
As part of advocacy to improve the response of the state planning system to climate change, the Victorian Greenhouse Alliances commissioned a research report in 2021 on the current state of the system. This report by Hansen Partnership, details much needed areas for improvement in the current planning system, and the Alliances with CASBE are pushing for changes to the system to tackle climate change. Find out more here.
2022 Victorian Government Interim Emissions Target Review for 2035
This submission recommended that the Victorian Government:
- act decisively now to limit warming to 1.5ºC
- soften economic shocks to the State through rapid early decarbonisation, rather than leaving large portions of mitigation to post-2030, when we know the impacts of warming and extreme events will be depleting Victoria’s natural resources;
- Adopt science-based targets that are in line to limit temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius, whereby the Government: a. adjusts the current 2030 interim target to be at least 75% reduction from 2005 emissions levels (currently 45-50%); b. brings forward Victoria’s zero net emissions commitments from 2050 to 2035; and
- Set carbon budgets for individuals and organisations to pledge and work to, and be verified against.
Electricity Distribution Price Review
In 2016, the Victorian Greenhouse Alliances secured +$22M in savings for councils across the state through a sector wide submission to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER). The AER’s pricing determination supported the local government assessment of costs for the operation, maintenance and replacement (OMR) charges for street lights.
In 2020, the Alliances led another sector-wide submission to the AER’s review of pricing for the period to 2025. The alliances advocate for further OMR savings for street lights and changes to ensure that energy distributors facilitate the uptake of renewable energy and improve action to respond to climate change.
Climate positive stimulus opportunities
Economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic can also transition to zero carbon emissions by developing local skills and supply chains. The Alliances’ joint statement outlines key stimulus measures to deliver outcomes through local government. The statement has been to the Victorian and Commonwealth Treasurers, the National COVID-19 Commission, and decision-makers in agencies and other partnerships reporting to the Victorian Government.
Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Communities Tackling Climate Change
The Alliances made individual but aligned submissions to the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Tackling Climate Change, and each gave evidence to regional hearings. The final report in 2020 has a number of recommendations that the Alliances have been directly advocating for, including a recommendation for the Victorian Government to strengthen the role of the Alliances, recognising them as best practice models for climate change governance.
Technology Investment Roadmap
The Alliances’ submission on the Roadmap discussion paper in May 2020 highlighted the urgent need for a national climate and energy policy framework. It also raised direct concerns that the Roadmap is not sufficiently targeted to achieving zero emissions.
Victoria’s Interim Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Targets
The Alliances provided a joint response on targets and priority actions in 2019. The submission advocated for strong interim targets in 2030 based on the Independent Expert Panel’s advice. It also identified key issues in setting targets and policies and priority programs to limit temperature rise to the safe climate level of less than 2 degrees.
