Victoria’s Andrews Labor Government recently announced an impending plot to slash the state’s greenhouse gas emissions by about 15 to 20 per cent less than the 2005 levels come year 2020.
At the same time, the Victorian Government will cut emissions related to operations of the various government departs by up to 30 per cent below the levels recorded in 2015 come 2020.
Some of these initiatives will ensure improved energy efficiency of many government buildings and infrastructure, as well as the installation of solar systems on government facilities and buildings including prisons, and nine Department of Environment, Land Water and Planning (DELWP) office sites.
In addition, Victoria’s Climate Change Framework was released and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with the Under2 Coalition, an international coalition that focuses on promoting and highlighting the climate change actions taken by city and state governments across the globe.
“2016 was officially the world’s hottest year on record but it was also a year Victoria took important steps to reduce the risks of climate change,” said Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister Lily D’Ambrosio.
“We’ve introduced our world leading Climate Change Bill, set strong renewable energy targets and appointed Victoria’s first independent Renewable Energy Advocate. Now, we’ve announced ambitious yet achievable emissions targets for 2020 to put us on the path to net zero emissions by 2050.”
Victoria’s renewal energy targets are set at 25 per cent by 2020 and 40 per cent by 2025.
In 2016, the State Government initiated the TAKE2 program, which is basically a pledge and review process like that used under the Paris Agreement. Since June last year, the program has received over 2,400 pledges from local governments, businesses, schools and tertiary institutions, as well as community-based groups.
The Victorian Government strongly believes the TAKE2 program will play a significant role in achieving its 2020 targets.
The impending shutdown of Hazelwood Power Station later in March this year is bound to make it easier for the State Government to attain its interim emission target.
According to Environment Victoria, the hoary power plant spews over 15 million tonnes of greenhouse gas pollution annually.
” That’s almost 15 per cent of Victoria’s annual greenhouse gas emissions and 3 percent of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, all on its own,” states the group.
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