Victoria’s latest greenhouse gas performance data has been released. And it shows that momentum is building for bold and ambitious Emissions Reduction Targets. 

In just one year, the Victorian Renewable Energy Target has delivered a record 17 percent emissions cut in the electricity sector. 

Our rapid analysis of the data shows that Victoria is now is on a trajectory to achieve a 37 percent emissions reduction by 2025 and 52 percent reduction by 2030.

This finding has implications for the Andrews government's imminent decision on the interim Emissions Reduction Targets. 

When it comes to action on climate, November 2020 will be remembered as an EPIC month. The community and the state government is building momentum for Victorian climate leadership. And PM Scott Morrison is starting to crack under the pressure.   

Here’s a quick update on our efforts over the last month and upcoming actions...

100 LAPS ENDURANCE FEAT SENDS GOVT A POWERFUL MESSAGE ON CLIMATE:

On Thursday 26 November, Act on Climate cycled 100 laps of Parliament House to put the community's call for Victorian climate leadership on the Andrews govt's radar. And that's exactly what we achieved.

The 100km endurance feat helped us secure a meeting with a delegation of Labor government MPs. Thanks to Meng Heang Tak, Chris Brayne, Kat Theophanous, Gary Maas, and Katie Hall for meeting with the relay team and promising to deliver our key message to Premier Dan Andrews:

"When it comes to Emissions Reduction Targets, Victoria needs a climate champion, not a climate coward."

Thanks also to Ministers Jill Hennessy, Ben Carroll, Jaclyn Symes, and Cabinet Secretary Mary-Anne Thomas for saying g'day, and Greens member Tim Read MP for joining us for a lap. 

The endurance feat also raised over $6,000 to help keep Act on Climate on the campaign trail in 2021. A massive thank you to the relay team and all those who generously donated to the cause.

CLICK HERE to watch a video as we kicked off the relay.

The Andrews government will soon set the state's first Emissions Reduction Targets for 2025 and '30... And we have an opportunity to influence the final decision.

Friends of the Earth as called a Day of Action on Victoria's Climate Targets to ensure the Premier hears from the community in the lead up to his government's final decision. 

The Day of Action asks community members to post a 'selfie' on social media with the target they'd like Premier Dan Andrews to deliver for Victoria. 

To ensure we send an informed message to the government, here are some things to keep in mind...

It has been a marathon for Victoria but we did it. We bent the COVID-19 curve down to zero. And now it's time to bend the emissions curve in the same direction.   

Here’s a quick update on our efforts over the last month and upcoming actions...

BREAKING - DAY OF ACTION FOR VICTORIA'S CLIMATE TARGETS, SUN 29 NOV:

The Andrews government will soon set Emissions Reduction Targets for 2025 and '30. And we have an opportunity to influence the final decision.

Join us for a Day of Action for Victoria's Climate Targets on Sunday 29 November.

Victorian Minister for Climate Change Lily D'Ambrosio has stated publicly that the final decision will be made by the end of the year.

If that's the case then we have only weeks to influence the outcome. It's why we need your help to send a strong, positive message to the government about the targets we want to see for Victoria. 

We'll be in touch soon with specific details about the actions we'll take on the day. Rest assured, the action is COVID-19 safe, designed for mass participation, and to have impact. CLICK HERE to sign up and receive more info.

Please help us build momentum for the day by encouraging family, friends, neighbours, and colleagues to join you and by sharing the following Facebook and Twitter posts. 

It has been a marathon for Victoria as we work together to flatten the COVID-19 curve. Melbourne is still in lockdown, but that hasn't stopped our grassroots campaign for Climate Justice. 

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

OPEN LETTER PUTS SCOMO IN THE HOT SEAT: 

As you know, we've been campaigning for science-based Emissions Reduction Targets for years. With the Andrews government deferring its decision until the end of the year, we decided it was time for Act on Climate to step up into the national climate debate...

We've launched an open letter calling on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to increase ambition on climate and jobs.

Governments are now making decisions that will have big implications for our ability to tackle the climate crisis. We welcome individuals, organisations, and businesses who support climate justice to show their solidarity.  

Now more than ever, the Morrison government needs to hear from the community about the need for climate leadership.

ADD YOUR VOICE to the open letter. 

Friends of the Earth welcomes $1 million worth of grants to support 13 community-energy projects across Victoria, but say the Andrews government must must scale up funding to match the demand. 

"Communities are way out in front of governments when it comes to tackling the climate crisis," said Leigh Ewbank, Friends of the Earth's climate justice spokesperson.

"The Andrews government's grants for community-energy projects acknowledge this leadership and will create jobs while cutting emissions."

Friends of the Earth say the Andrews government can build on the momentum and create thousands more jobs by establishing a dedicated $100 million Victorian Climate Change Action Fund.

After the many months of lockdown, the decision to open up Victoria to fossil gas exploration, and the deferral of Emissions Reduction Targets, we finally have some GOOD NEWS:

This week, the Andrews government announced a plan to repower all the state’s schools, hospitals, and metro trains with renewable energy!  

The announcement has put even more spring in our step as we continue our campaign for Climate Justice. 

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

It's a difficult time for communities across Victoria. We’ve been in lockdown for many months now. Yet the rate of COVID-19 transmission now occurring means we still have a way to go.

We understand that the introduction of a level-4 lockdown in Melbourne and Mitchell Shire as well as level-3 restrictions for regional Victoria is a bit deflating. Be safe, take care of yourself, and look after your community. And remember: We're in this together. 

Friends of the Earth's Act on Climate collective has masked up and maintains its commitment to Climate Justice. 

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

Friends of the Earth Melbourne expresses great disappointment that the Victorian government has deferred setting the state’s first interim Emissions Reduction Targets. It is the second time this has occurred.

When the Andrews government strengthened the Victorian Climate Change Act 2017  it introduced deadlines to ensure our state’s response to the climate crisis is swift and steady. It demonstrated a keen awareness of the urgency of the issue when enshrining these deadlines in law.

Since 2017, community members across the state have been calling on the government to set science-based targets that contribute towards the Paris Agreement goal of keeping global warming below 1.5°C.

It is an outcome that would accelerate the rollout of renewables, increase investment in sustainable transport, require greater protection of forests and the natural world, and help protect communities from intensifying impacts.