A parliamentary inquiry into renewable energy has found that Victoria could be taking further and faster action to transition away from polluting fossil fuels like coal and gas.
The Greens-established inquiry tabled its final report today, after months of hearing from expert witnesses, academics, energy experts, and community groups.
It was tasked with investigating how Victoria could transition to a state powered by 100 per cent renewable energy as quickly as possible.
The inquiry heard consistent evidence that Victoria can and should be going further and faster in its transition to renewable energy. The state is already on track to meet and beat Labor’s target of 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030, which means Victoria should be aiming for a lot more.
That’s why the Greens are today calling on the Government to increase its renewable energy target to 100 per cent by 2030, to put Victoria in the climate action fast lane alongside states and territories like South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT.
Leader of the Victorian Greens, Samantha Ratnam, said the report couldn’t arrive at a more urgent time, when climate change-driven extreme weather events are playing out across Australia with catastrophic flooding in Queensland and New South Wales.
Deputy Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell, added that it had never been more important for our governments to take all possible action to address climate change.
Scientists have already been saying that for Victoria to contribute its fair share in keeping the world below a 1.5-degree temperature rise, we need ambitious emissions targets. Yet while we rely on dirty brown coal and gas to power the state, we’ll continue to fall behind.
The Federal Election last weekend made clear that Victorians want to see the major parties go further and faster on climate change, and will vote for parties and candidates like the Greens who push them to do so.
As stated by Leader of the Victorian Greens, Samantha Ratnam MLC:
“Climate change is here, and affecting Victoria in devastating ways, from fires to floods, extreme storm events to coastal erosion, and heat waves taking people’s lives.
“That’s why Victoria must be as ambitious as possible in the climate action we take in the next critical years to 2030. This means stopping new fossil fuel production, transitioning our coal and gas to renewable sources, and eliminating emissions from other sectors like transport.
“This inquiry has shown we have the resources and technical know-how to transition Victoria to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030, we just need the political will.”
As stated by Deputy Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell MP:
“While the Victorian Labor Government has made important investments in renewable energy, they’re also opening up new areas for gas drilling and letting our coal-fired power plants run well past their expiry date. This is not good enough.
“The reality is we need bold action now, with a target of transitioning to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030.
“On the weekend Victorians voted loud and clear for parties and candidates, like the Greens, who will push both major parties to do more on climate change. Labor and the Liberals must listen and increase their climate action, or they’ll face similar swings against them at the election in November.”
