Carbopedia

Victoria

Impacts and Costs

Victoria's Climate Change Web Site

  • Victoria is expected to become warmer with more hot days and less cold nights resulting in increased evaporation rates, increased bush fire risk, less snowfall in alpine areas, and more frequent and severe droughts.
  • Droughts are projected to increase up to 40% by 2070 in South-East Australia. Victoria's annual average rainfall is projected to decline by up to 25%.
  • Victoria is likely to experience an increased bush fire risk and to have more 'extreme' fire danger days, an increase of 12 - 38% by 2020 and 20 - 135% by 2050.
  • There is a projected decline in Victorian farm production.
  • Livestock suffering heat stress, reduced stone fruit yields in warmer winters and an increased prevalence of plant diseases, weeds and pests will all impact on agricultural production.
  • Victoria's regional agricultural profits from the Lower Murray irrigation sector are likely to decrease by 19% under moderate climate change scenarios.
  • More than 80,000 coastal buildings and infrastructure are at risk from the projected sea level rise, coastal flooding and erosion.
  • 18% of the Western Port Region is likely to be affected by inundation or overland flow paths. It is estimated that 18,000 properties, valued at almost $2 billion are vulnerable to flood events.
  • The area of land subject to inundation by storm surge is likely to increase by 4-15% by 2030 and 16-63% by 2070. It could affect more than 2000 individuals, more than 1000 dwellings and approximately $780 million in improved property value.
  • Increases in temperatures could result in Melbourne experiencing more hot days over 35°C for longer periods of time, currently 9 days but expected to increase to 11- 13 days by 2030.
  • Warmer conditions may also help spread vector-borne, water-borne and food-borne disease further south. These health issues could increase pressure on medical and hospital services.
  • Indigenous people living in remote communities are at increased risk with the number of Aboriginal children being admitted to hospital with diarrhoea likely to increase by 10% by 2050.

Regulatory Landscape

Review of Climate Change Act

Currently the Victorian Government requires the following:

  • Large corporations are forced to set reduction targets for their energy consumption - Environment and Resource Efficiency Plans (EREP) Program.
  • A greenhouse gas emissions reporting and disclosure pilot program has been implemented in 25 companies.
  • EPA Works Approval and Licensing include requirements to implement best practice with respect to greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Landmark Climate Change Bill to be introduced requiring for greenhouse gas abatement and development of eco-efficiency standards for industries.
  • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 60% by 2050 (from 121.9 million tonnes in 2005 to 48.8 million tonnes in 2050). This reduction target has a flow on effect to all levels of business.
  • Victoria is committed to establish a national emissions trading scheme no later than 2010.
  • Green offices, major projects- mandating 5 star energy ratings for all new government offices.
  • Victorian levels of renewable energy generation to 10% by 2016, through the Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET).
  • The EPA Greenhouse Program is the first regulatory greenhouse and energy efficiency program for industry in Australia requiring the implementation of best practices with respect to GHG emissions and energy audits for existing licenses premises.

Victoria is committed to:

  • meet the Kyoto target (108% of 1990 levels) by 2012.
  • energy efficiency requirements for new housing (5 Star Energy Ratings).
  • GHG and energy efficiency requirements introduced by the EPA.

However, with the election of a new Government in 2010 the Minister for Environment and Climate Change has announced the Victorian Government will undertake a review of the Victorian Climate Change Act 2010.