Advocacy on behalf of local government on climate change related issues is a key function of the Victorian Greenhouse Alliances. This page features descriptions of the Alliances' current advocacy priorities. Our recent submissions are listed here and older submissions here.
Electrification and Energy Efficiency for Low Income Households
The Victorian Greenhouse Alliances are actively advocating for electrification and energy efficiency measures to benefit low-income households. Our focus is on ensuring a socially inclusive and equitable energy transition, where vulnerable households are not left behind.
There is a compelling economic case for electrification, with potential for significant cost savings for households and improved indoor air quality. To address upfront financial barriers, we recommend targeted electrification programs and subsidies that cater to the needs of people on low incomes, and call on further state and federal government funding in this area. At the same time, we ask for stronger energy efficiency standards for rented homes and appliances to lower renters' energy costs.
In addition to advocating for electrification, the Alliances are proposing alternative models for funding and implementation, such as facilitation services provided by councils. We believe that local councils can play a crucial role in supporting the implementation of electrification programs. They educate households about the benefits of upgrades, connect them with trusted installers, and assist in accessing state government rebates and interest-free loans.
Recognising existing state and federal government initiatives, the Alliances call for further support and partnerships with local governments, particularly in low socio-economic areas. We believe that councils are well-positioned to promote and provide market incentives for household electrification. Their trusted brand and community presence enable them to reach diverse communities, address language and cultural barriers, and provide location-specific information in everyday language.
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.
This is a campaign by the Victorian Greenhouse Alliances and CASBE, in collaboration with councils across Victoria.
Planning decisions being made today will be locked in for years to come - more than half of Australia’s 2050 building stock will be constructed during the next 30 years.
We need to increase the resilience of the built environment and reduce carbon emissions – and to achieve this through rapid transformational – rather than incremental – change.
There is a disconnect between high level policy positions on tackling climate change, and day-to-day planning decisions. Victoria has a zero emissions targets, many councils have more ambitious targets, but this isn’t reflected in planning decision. Despite work by councils to make the planning system a better tool for change, the system is not yet doing enough to help restore a safe climate and create resilient communities.
To enable the delivery of a safe climate and resilient communities the Victorian Government must mandate tackling climate change as a priority at all levels of the planning system.
Our asks
The Alliances are asking for four changes in the next term of government, reflecting the recommendations from the Hansen Partnership report on climate change and planning in Victoria: Please click on each ask for more information.
Councils across the state and other local government bodies support our campaign.
“Prioritising climate change considerations in the planning system is critical to ensure our future homes and communities are sustainable and resilient. Our planning legislation and planning provisions need to be amended to address climate change as a matter of urgency.” – Cr David Clark, President of the MAV in support of our campaign.
Report Card October 2022
The Alliances asked the political parties in Victoria where they stand on our four asks. This Report Card shows the support we're getting for the asks, but also the lack of announcement from Labor and the Coalition on this subject as at October 2022.
Electrification and Energy Efficiency for Low Income Households
The Victorian Greenhouse Alliances are actively advocating for electrification and energy efficiency measures to benefit low-income households. Our focus is on ensuring a socially inclusive and equitable energy transition, where vulnerable households are not left behind.
There is a compelling economic case for electrification, with potential for significant cost savings for households and improved indoor air quality. To address upfront financial barriers, we recommend targeted electrification programs and subsidies that cater to the needs of people on low incomes, and call on further state and federal government funding in this area. At the same time, we ask for stronger energy efficiency standards for rented homes and appliances to lower renters' energy costs.
In addition to advocating for electrification, the Alliances are proposing alternative models for funding and implementation, such as facilitation services provided by councils. We believe that local councils can play a crucial role in supporting the implementation of electrification programs. They educate households about the benefits of upgrades, connect them with trusted installers, and assist in accessing state government rebates and interest-free loans.
Recognising existing state and federal government initiatives, the Alliances call for further support and partnerships with local governments, particularly in low socio-economic areas. We believe that councils are well-positioned to promote and provide market incentives for household electrification. Their trusted brand and community presence enable them to reach diverse communities, address language and cultural barriers, and provide location-specific information in everyday language.
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.
This is a campaign by the Victorian Greenhouse Alliances and CASBE, in collaboration with councils across Victoria.
Planning decisions being made today will be locked in for years to come - more than half of Australia’s 2050 building stock will be constructed during the next 30 years.
We need to increase the resilience of the built environment and reduce carbon emissions – and to achieve this through rapid transformational – rather than incremental – change.
There is a disconnect between high level policy positions on tackling climate change, and day-to-day planning decisions. Victoria has a zero emissions targets, many councils have more ambitious targets, but this isn’t reflected in planning decision. Despite work by councils to make the planning system a better tool for change, the system is not yet doing enough to help restore a safe climate and create resilient communities.
To enable the delivery of a safe climate and resilient communities the Victorian Government must mandate tackling climate change as a priority at all levels of the planning system.
Our asks
The Alliances are asking for four changes in the next term of government, reflecting the recommendations from the Hansen Partnership report on climate change and planning in Victoria: Please click on each ask for more information.
- Amend the Planning and Environment Act and the Climate Change Act to explicitly address climate change at all levels of the planning process
- Require every planning scheme amendment at all levels of government and of the planning framework to include an assessment against relevant climate change considerations
- Introduce mandatory minimum climate change standards into the planning scheme
- Adopt science-based targets for high level policy and align the planning system to the most up to date climate science
Councils across the state and other local government bodies support our campaign.
“Prioritising climate change considerations in the planning system is critical to ensure our future homes and communities are sustainable and resilient. Our planning legislation and planning provisions need to be amended to address climate change as a matter of urgency.” – Cr David Clark, President of the MAV in support of our campaign.
Report Card October 2022
The Alliances asked the political parties in Victoria where they stand on our four asks. This Report Card shows the support we're getting for the asks, but also the lack of announcement from Labor and the Coalition on this subject as at October 2022.