Victoria’s ground-breaking Climate Communities program will be expanded to help local communities and businesses across the state address climate change.
Launching the Victorian Government’s Taking Action for Victoria’s Future, the Victorian Climate Change White Paper – The Action Plan, Mr Brumby said the Government was committed to helping grass roots community efforts meet the challenges of climate change.
“The $105 million Climate Communities program will help bring about real and positive outcomes that will help ensure Victoria has a sustainable future,” Mr Brumby said.
“This program is designed specifically to assist climate change projects undertaken by community groups in Victoria. It recognises the important contribution these groups have as well as the role Government must play in partnership with them.”
Mr Brumby said the Victorian Government would work in partnership with Victorians to help drive down emissions and seize new opportunities in a climate change economy.
“The actions of human beings have a direct impact on our climate,” Mr Brumby said.
“Much of the debate on national and global action on climate change centres on the negative impact human beings have had on the climate, but our Government wants to shift the focus onto the positive impact human beings can have on our climate.
“To support Victorians reduce energy use at home and within the broader community, the Government is expanding the Climate Communities program to deliver a range of initiatives across households, businesses, community groups and schools.”
Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings said the Climate Communities program already offered grants of up to $50,000 to community groups to under take action on climate change and the expanded program would deliver an even broader range of initiatives across four “streams”.
“The Action Plan will see households, businesses, community groups and schools empowered to deliver climate change initiatives and will include a statewide behaviour change program which will build on the successful Black Balloons campaign,” Mr Jennings said.
“This program will encourage Victorians to adopt a personal energy savings target in a similar way to the successful Target 155 water campaign. We recognise that it is important for everyone in the community to feel empowered to take action.”
As part of the Action Plan, the Climate Communities web portal will provide the community with access to a full range of programs and information on how to take action on climate change.
“In our schools Climate Communities will give our children a chance to learn how they can build a sustainable future for themselves and their children,” Mr Brumby said.