New bill to set renewable targets in the making

The Victorian Legislative Council agreed to an amendment to the Climate Change and Energy Legislation Amendment Bill 2023. The bill will now return to the Legislative Assembly to consider this amendment.

“No-one has decarbonised a major, developed economy’s electricity grid without using a combination of large-scale hydro-electric and/or nuclear energy,” Member for South-Eastern Metropolitan David Limbrick said.

“No-one has done it with renewable energy alone.”

In her second reading speech in the Legislative Assembly, Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio said the bill would set renewable energy targets, introduce crucial energy storage targets and Australia’s first offshore wind electricity generation targets, and expressly embed climate consideration in land use planning decision-making.

The bill will set a new Victorian Renewable Energy Target of 95 per cent renewable electricity generation by 2035.

It will also legislate interim emissions reduction targets: 28-33 per cent below 2005 levels by 2025; 45–50 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030; and 75-80 per cent below 2005 levels by 2035.

The Planning and Environment Act will be amended to require consideration of climate change when making planning decisions about the use and development of land under the act and for other purposes, which includes greenhouse gas emissions, reductions targets and increased climate resilience.

Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh said Victoria should be commended for its progress on reducing emissions.

“The fact that this state is 42.7 per cent below our peak in emissions is commendable, and 40 per cent of our electricity is coming from renewables,” he said.