The Victorian Government is reviewing its climate legislation and consulting with stakeholders about their views.
We provided a short response outlining that the Renewable Energy Alliance strongly supports Victoria in establishing a clear, ambitious emissions reduction target that is in line with the global goal of limiting global warming to 1.5℃.
We recognise that substantial progress has already been made in decarbonising the energy system – but to deliver on an ambitious emissions reduction target, aligned to the science, requires the state to seize crucial opportunities within the next few years to keep reducing energy related emissions.
We strongly urge the Victorian government to:
- Ensure it progresses policies to connect ‘the missing middle’ of renewables: mid-scale renewable energy projects, such as enabling augmentations of the distribution network, to make the most of all the new renewable energy being built and ensure reliability for regional communities
- Set up its legislative frameworks well, to enable both renewable energy development investment and participation by communities in shaping the way developments are done
- Support policies and programs such as Local Energy Hubs, to build the social infrastructure needed to facilitate the shift to renewables
- Do this work in partnership with First Nations communities, underpinned by the Treaty between the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria and the State of Victoria.