The Climate Council welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the development of Victoria’s 2026-30 Climate Change Strategy. As an independent, evidence-based organisation, we strongly support action that aligns with the latest science and maximises benefits for communities, the economy and environment.
In the first months of this year, Victorians have experienced climate whiplash, with the state almost simultaneously experiencing heatwaves, fires, storms and flash floods. While fires in the summer season are common, climate pollution is making rapid, wild swings in conditions more likely. Without urgent action to cut climate pollution, extreme weather conditions like these will intensify, creating more disruption, dislocation, devastation and loss of life.
Victoria’s next statewide climate change strategy will take us through to the end of this critical decade for climate action. The strategy must set the direction for rapid cuts in climate pollution by phasing fossil fuels as fast as possible, and replacing them with technologies that we already know work.
We note that Victoria recently brought forward its net zero target from 2050 to 2045, with interim targets including a 45-50% reduction on 2005 levels by 2030. While this is an improvement on Victoria’s previous targets, it is not nearly enough. To avoid the worst impacts of climate change, Australia must cut climate pollution by 75% on 2005 levels by 2030, and to net zero by 2035 (Climate Council 2024a).
As one of Australia’s largest polluting states, accounting for 20% of the country’s emissions, Victoria needs to step up its climate ambition and play its part in meeting globally agreed goals. The Climate Council recommends seven priority areas to strengthen and build on existing work through Victoria’s next climate change strategy.
Recommendations
1. Help cut the cost of living for Victorians while slashing climate pollution with rooftop solar and batteries
- Install free solar and batteries on public housing
- Support Victorians who can’t install their own solar and batteries to access community solar banks, gardens and batteries
- Collaborate with other governments to require solar and storage on certain new buildings
2. Enable a rapid increase in large-scale renewables through meaningful community engagement
- Enable community-led hosting of renewable energy infrastructure
- Fund Community Energy Coordinators in local government areas within Renewable Energy Zones (REZ)
3. Keep up the momentum and get Victorians off gas
- Reduce demand for gas and commit to stop offering new exploration licences for onshore gas exploration
4. Support Victoria’s manufacturing businesses to cut climate pollution, reduce operating costs and stay competitive
- Actively engage with large gas users
- Support businesses to access professional advice
- Expand the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) Program
5. Accelerate the move to shared and active transport
- Implement key recommendations in Victoria’s draft 30-year infrastructure strategy
6. Protect and restore Victoria’s landscapes
- Strengthen regulations to reduce land clearing on private land
- Increase council resourcing to improve enforcement and early intervention of illegal land clearing
- Continue to invest in research, development and extension for low emissions agriculture solutions
7. Adapt and build resilience to the impacts of climate change
- Develop a state disaster mitigation plan
- Assess local government disaster preparedness, response and recovery capacity and capability
- Examine the feasibility of developing a Victorian Household Resilience Program
