Victoria’s emissions are continuing to fall with an emissions report clearly demonstrating the state’s transition to a net zero emissions economy by 2050 is on track.

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio released the Victorian Greenhouse Gas Emissions report for 2019 showing the state’s emissions continued to fall to 24.8 per cent below 2005 levels.

The result means the Andrews Labor Government’s ambitious 2020 target − to reduce emissions by 15 to 20 per cent below 2005 levels − was exceeded ahead of schedule.

The report also shows that in 2019, Victoria contributed 17.3 per cent of Australia’s total net emissions − less than Queensland (31.1 per cent); NSW (25.8 per cent) and WA (17.4 per cent).

Victoria is decarbonising at the most rapid rate of any major jurisdiction in Australia and is doing so while its population and economy continues to grow.

The report shows that while cutting emissions the economy has continued to grow.

The Government has set targets to halve emissions by 2030 as part of its Climate Change Strategy released in May this year.

It has also legislated a target for 50 per cent of Victoria’s electricity to be provided from renewables by 2030 – and the Government’s own operations will be powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2025.

The Labor Government is ensuring the state plays its part in meeting the Paris Accord and keeping the increase in global average temperatures to as close to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels as possible.

To access the report visit: Victorian-Greenhouse-Gas-Emissions-Report_2019.pdf (climatechange.vic.gov.au)

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“As we head to the United Nations COP26 Climate Change conference in Glasgow, it is more important than ever for us to continue taking action on climate change.”

“This report clearly shows our action on climate change is having an impact on emissions – protecting our community and our environment, and creating jobs and supporting new industries.”

“As we outlined in our ambitious climate change strategy released earlier this year, we will halve our emissions by 2030 and transition to a zero net emissions economy by 2050.”