Committee for Melbourne calls for leadership on Climate Change [30.09.2009]
The Victorian Government should show leadership on climate change issues by introducing a Climate Change Bill as a matter of urgency, according to the Committee for Melbourne.
In a submission to the Government’s Green Paper on climate change, the Committee said a State Climate Change Act would offer legislative certainty to businesses and professions working on sustainability issues, and provide incentives for greater investment and research.
Committee CEO Ms Sally Capp said Victoria could use its status as the first Australian state to introduce a Climate Change Act as an investment attraction, considering that currently there is a range of footloose public and private “green” capital looking for a base.
“Providing legislative certainty could also allow Melbourne to continue to promote its credentials as a hub for sustainability research and development in Australia and the Asia Pacific, and indeed, the Southern Hemisphere,” she said.
The Government has said it will enact a Climate Change Bill around the same time as it releases the Climate Change White Paper, but the community needs to know more specifically when, what will be in it and how business and Victorians will be affected so that we can start planning for it with certainty,” Ms Capp said.
“Victoria is potentially the State with the greatest challenges posed by climate change – due to its heavy reliance on brown coal and the impact of drying climatic conditions on water supply – but the problem was also creating new opportunities by driving research and change on climate change issues.
“Melbourne’s booming population is also placing a heavy emphasis on finding sustainable solutions to accommodate strong growth,” she said.
The enactment of the Climate Change Bill was critical in establishing a comprehensive, whole-of-Government approach to dealing with Climate Change issues.
An expert panel should be formed to provide advice to the Minister for Climate Change on the development and implementation of climate change impacts assessments and have an ongoing advisory role in reviewing the effectiveness and implementation of the new arrangements on Government policy and legislation over an initial three to five year period, Ms Capp said.
To view the Committee for Melbourne’s submission, click here.