May 31st, 2023Victoria’s target setting pace on emissions reduction

The state government is setting one of the most ambitious emissions reduction targets in
the world – aiming to cut Victoria’s emissions by 75–80 per cent by 2035, the Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas says.

Ms Thomas last week welcomed Minister for Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio’s decision to formalise the new target to cut the state’s emissions by 75–80 per cent by 2035 under Victoria’s Climate Change Act 2017.

Later this year the Government will legislate the emissions reduction target of 75-80 per cent by
2035 and net zero emissions by 2045.

Ms Thomas said: “This ambitious target builds on the Government’s record success to date – having already cut the state’s emissions by 32.3 per cent below 2005 levels. Victoria is decarbonising at the fastest rate in the country, cutting its emissions by more than any other state since 2014.

To achieve this, the Government is taking strong action across Victoria – delivering zero-emissions
transport, helping farmers cut emissions, storing carbon in our landscape and driving down
emissions in the waste sector through the circular economy, she said.

Ms Thomas said: “We’re also ensuring all government operations are powered with 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2025. These new targets will ensure Victoria seizes the enormous economic opportunity climate change action presents – generating $63 billion of benefit to the economy and helping to create thousands of jobs”.

The re-establishment of the State Electricity Commission (SEC) will be a key driver reducing
emissions and bringing down power bills through $1 billion of initial investment into new renewable,
government-owned energy. This investment will deliver 4.5 gigawatts of renewable power – the
equivalent of Loy Yang A.

Victoria’s target of 95 per cent renewable energy generation by 2035, renewable energy storage
target of 6.3 GW by 2035 and offshore wind energy targets will also enable the state to make this
historic transition, Ms Thomas said.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas: “The Andrews Labor Government is taking real action on Climate Change and I’m proud that Victoria will continue to lead the nation in this space.”

Minister for Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio: “Victoria is continuing to lead the way on climate action in Australia with our target to reduce emissions by 75-80 per cent by 2035 and net-zero by 2045.”