The Australian Industry Group has revealed its true colours on climate, raising serious doubts about whether it has a genuine interest in cutting emissions in Victoria—or any other jurisdiction for that matter.

In a press statement released on Thursday 13 June, the Australian Industry Group gloats about Queensland's approval of a groundwater licence for the controversial Adani coal mine. At no time have the Wangan and Jagalingou peoples given their free, prior, and informed consent for the project.

Sanity prevails with #Adani approval: https://t.co/nOdCztCTTt #ausbiz #auspol

— Ai Group (@The_AiGroup) June 13, 2019

According to the AiG's Shane Rodgers, "...sanity has finally prevailed in the decision-making process on the Adani mine." 

It is a well known fact that the Adani coal mine represents a "carbon bomb" that would accelerate climate change and leave Australian communities exposed to intensifying impacts.

The findings of the ‘Combet report’—the independent advice to the Andrews government on emissions cuts—have been tabled in Parliament. The report has kicked off the decision-making process about Victoria's first interim Emissions Reduction Targets.

Victoria has a legislated target of zero-net emissions by 2050. The government has until 31 March 2020 to set targets for the years 2025 and 2030.

While the Combet Report recommends ‘flexible’ targets of 32-39 percent below 2005 levels by 2025 and 45-60 percent below 2005 levels in 2030, the real test is whether the government will commit to targets that meet the 1.5°C challenge. 

We are 10 reasons why we should fight for science-based targets that are both bold and ambitious... 

Where were we on Thursday 6 June when the advice given to the Andrews government  on emissions cuts was tabled in Parliament? In Inverloch were they’ve lost 40m of beach from rising seas and intensifying storm surges!

The release of the independent panel's advice kicks off the next phase of our push for bold and ambitions Emissions Reduction Targets in Victoria. 

We're still digging through the 100-page 'Combet Report' and will have a more to say about it soon. But in a nutshell: We have A LOT or work to do to ensure the Andrews government ramps up its ambition. 

The panel recommended cuts of 32-39 percent below 2005 levels in 2025 and 45-60 below 2005 levels in 2030. Yet these targets fall short of what's needed to meet the 1.5°C challenge. You can read our initial response to the media here. 

With the Federal Coalition refusing to act on climate, we need to see Victoria show greater leadership. And for that to happen we must start taking action today... Here are a few things you can to do to help! 

Andrews govt emissions cuts must limit warming to 1.5°C to protect Victorian communities from climate impacts

Friends of the Earth says emissions cuts to limit global warming to 1.5°C will be needed from the Andrews government in order to protect communities from dangerous climate impacts.

The group’s call comes as Independent Expert Panel advice on Victoria’s first interim Emissions Reduction Targets is tabled in the Parliament.

The panel, led by former Federal climate minister Greg Combet, recommends the Andrews government reduce emissions by 32-39 percent below 2005 levels in 2025 and 45-60 below 2005 levels in 2030.  

Friends of the Earth say greater ambition is needed from the state government when it comes to cutting emissions.

The countdown to climate action continues.

The Victorian government has until March 31 next year to set the state's first interim Emissions Reduction Targets.

With the shock re-election of Scott Morrison our campaign to secure science-based targets in Victoria is more important than ever.

While a Federal Coalition government will seek to apply the handbrake to climate action, it's worth noting that we've been here before. And we know how to fight under these conditions.

Not long after Tony Abbott was elected in 2013, the Federal government mounted a sustained attack on renewable energy that saw investment drop by 90 percent and thousands of job losses.

In January 2014 we launched our push for a Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET) to make the state a safe haven for the sector. Despite the odds, we never gave up. We built a powerful coalition that included communities; unions; renewable energy companies; and environment groups, and we won!

In 2017, the Andrews government enshrined the Victorian Renewable Energy Target in law and ran the country’s largest-ever reverse auction for new solar and wind projects. The scheme will treble the state’s renewable energy capacity, create 10,000 jobs, and cut emissions in the electricity sector by 16 percent.  

We’ve made Victoria a safe haven for renewable energy. Now we must make it a safe haven for climate action.

Here's a quick update on our efforts over the last month...

The newly-formed Bass Coast Climate Action Network and Friends of the Earth have joined forces to host a community forum on local climate change impacts. 

With dramatic coastal erosion in Inverloch, extreme weather in Cape Paterson making headlines and a recent visit by Climate Minister Lily D'Ambrosio, the event organisers say they want their community to be fully informed about what’s happening here in the context of national and global trends.

Environment group Friends of the Earth welcomes the Andrews government’s funding for the $1.3 billion Solar Homes program and says the $545 million down payment creates a platform for a heavy lift on climate action.

“The Andrews government’s 2019/20 budget delivers for solar and creates a platform upon which it can deliver ambitious action on climate,” said Leigh Ewbank, Friends of the Earth spokesperson.

“With the re-election of the Federal Coalition government, now more than ever Victoria must show leadership on climate change and a just transition.”

The Andrews Labor government must set interim Emissions Reduction Targets by 31 March 2020, release a Climate Strategy the same year, and roll out adaptation plans from 2021.

“A big funding boost is needed to ensure Victoria's efforts to tackle the climate crisis get traction,” said Leigh Ewbank.

“When it comes to tackling climate change, the rubber hits the road at the state level.”

“The community is looking to the Labor government to have vision when it comes to reining in emissions and protecting communities from climate impacts.”

While the government’s investment in solar is a positive outcome for climate action, a shift is still needed in transport.

Victorian Minister for Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio has visited Inverloch—an emerging frontline of the crisis—to survey dramatic coastal erosion from intensifying storm surges and rising sea levels. 

Act on Climate can confirm the Minister’s fact-finding trip occurred on Friday May 3 with Jordan Crugnale MP, just days after an ABC News report on Inverloch’s plight featuring the work of local citizen scientist Aileen Vening.

"It’s a relief that what I’ve been recording and talking about for several years is now finding a wider audience," said Vening.

The Victorian Greens have written to Treasurer Tim Pallas to call on the upcoming state budget to deliver for climate and environment. 

After a confronting summer in which we have seen record-breaking heatwaves, damaging bushfires, continuing drought, and dramatic coastal erosion in Apollo Bay and Inverloch, the need for governments to ramp up investment in climate action has never been greater. 

The countdown to climate action has begun.

The Victorian government has until March 31 next year to set the state's first short- and mid- term Emissions Reduction Targets and we're not wasting any time.

Friends of the Earth's Act on Climate collective is fighting for science-based targets that will get us to zero emissions as soon as possible. 

With Australia's emissions increasing on the Federal Coalition's watch, we need the Victorian Labor government to show greater leadership on the climate crisis to help put the country back on track and avoid runaway climate change. 

Here's a quick update on our efforts over the last month...