Friends of the Earth (FoE) Melbourne  is a non-for profit organisation working for a socially equitable and environmentally sustainable future. The international Friends of the Earth network is  active in 77 countries with over 2 million members. Read more.

MEDIA RELEASE: 30 Jan 2017

Approval for coal expansion at odds with Andrews govt ambition to lead climate fight

Approval of an expansion to the Loy Yang B coal power plant has been met with criticism from Victoria's environment groups and is at odds with the Andrews government's ambition to lead on climate change.

In a case of embarrassing timing, the Victorian Environment Protection Authority approved the coal project just a day after the Daniel Andrews government claimed a national leadership position on climate change--committing to emissions reductions of up to 20 percent by 2020.

"Expanding coal power undermines the Daniel Andrews government's ambition to lead on climate change," said Leigh Ewbank, acting campaigns coordinator for Friends of the Earth.  

"It's deeply irresponsible to prolong coal power generation with the urgent need to rein in emissions."

"When you're in a hole you stop digging. This decision does nothing to protect Victorian communities from the impacts of climate change."

Friends of the Earth say the timing of both announcements could lead to confusion in the community. The group says the government's forthcoming coal policy must include measures to secure a safe climate.

"The Andrews government can articulate its commitment to leading on climate change in its forthcoming coal policy."

"Misalignment between state climate and energy policy can be resolved. It's why we need the upper house to pass the Climate Change Act and a smart coal policy from the Andrews government."

Friends of the Earth say a smart coal policy for a safe climate would commit to: 

• No new mines or power generation.
• A rapid phase out of existing coal power plants. 
• No coal exports or public funds for "clean coal" technology. 
• And end to political donations and lobbying by coal companies.  
• Transition plans for coal workers and communities.

Friends of the Earth is closely tracking the passage of the Victorian Climate Change Act and development of the Andrews government's coal policy. 

'Expansion of Loy Yang B power station angers green groups,' @theage: https://t.co/SSMF0MVY69 #SpringSt #ActOnClimateVic

— Friends of the Earth (@FoEAustralia) January 29, 2017

Expanding coal power undermines @DanielAndrewsMP govt ambition to lead on climate. Smart coal policy now needed. #SpringSt #ActOnClimateVic https://t.co/x6HhqZjsBN

— Act on Climate Vic (@ActOnClimateVic) January 29, 2017

"As the emergency management sector, we must acknowledge and prepare for the impact of climate change, on all aspects of emergency preparedness, response and recovery," said Commissioner Lapsley. 

"Responding to the impacts of climate change, and helping communities be better prepared for the risks and affects, is at the heart of our shared responsibility and is essential to building resilience." 

Friends of the Earth welcome Emergency Management Victoria's initiative and say the program underscores the need for the state parliament to quickly restore the Climate Change Act which was gutted by the Baillieu government in 2011.

"We're in dangerous territory when it comes to climate change," said Leigh Ewbank, Friends of the Earth's climate change spokesperson. 

"Victorians have been left stranded with an impotent climate change policy since 2011 when the Baillieu government gutted the Climate Change Act," said Ewbank.

"Resolute action to tackle climate change and protect Victorian communities is needed now more than ever."

A new program prepares for the impacts of climate change on emergency preparedness, response & recovery #WeWorkAsOne https://t.co/SyrEVj6ChU pic.twitter.com/zZbs7ASKGq

— EMV (@EMV_news) January 24, 2017

Efforts to restore the Victorian Climate Change Act 2010 are now underway, with the Andrews government seeking to implement the recommendations of an independent review of the legislation. 

The Matthew Guy opposition voted against restoring the Climate Change Act in the final parliamentary sitting week of 2016. An upper house vote is expected early in 2017.

Friends of the Earth -- the organisation that coordinated successful community campaigns for a permanent ban on unconventional gas and a Victorian Renewable Energy Target -- are calling on upper house MPs to show political leadership by supporting the Climate Change Act. 

"Preventing climate change impacts from getting worse is something all political parties can support. Failure to restore the state climate legislation will leave communities exposed to increased drought, heatwaves, and bushfire risk," said Leigh Ewbank.

"Upper House MPs have an opportunity to show leadership on climate change by supporting the strengthened climate legislation."

Good 2 see @EMV_news preparing for climate change impacts. Time for #SpringSt leadership 2 prevent them from getting worse! #ActOnClimateVic https://t.co/ZfrYPATANj

— Act on Climate Vic (@ActOnClimateVic) January 26, 2017

The group says the state opposition can redeem itself on the issue by allowing the Climate Change Act to pass the legislative council. 

"Opposition leader Matthew Guy failed his first test of leadership by voting against steps to restore the climate change act," said Leigh Ewbank. 

"Leader of the opposition in the upper house, Mary Wooldridge, can redeem the Coalition by allowing the climate change legislation to pass the upper house."

"The community would welcome Liberal and National party support for restoring the climate change act."

Friends of the Earth are closely monitoring the passage of the Victorian Climate Change Act. 

Friends of the Earth Melbourne kicked off the first of our Summer Stalls at Stacks On Festival at CERES on Saturday 14 January. Over the summer, we’ll be visiting a number of festivals across Melbourne and surrounds to connect with new members and let people know about our new Act on Climate Campaign.

New analysis released by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) over night has found record global warming in 2016 as the Matthew Guy opposition block the Andrews government's moves to strengthen the Victorian Climate Change Act. 

The NASA/NOAA analysis once again confirms the longterm warming trend and found "Earth’s 2016 surface temperatures were the warmest since modern recordkeeping began in 1880."  

In a statement, the organisations note 2016 is "the third year in a row to set a new record for global average surface temperatures."   

The worrying climate change data comes just weeks after the Matthew Guy opposition voted against as the Andrews government's moves to restore the Victorian Climate Change Act -- which was gutted by the Baillieu government in 2011. 

"We're in dangerous territory when it comes to global warming," said Leigh Ewbank, Friends of the Earth's climate change spokesperson. 

"Victorians have been left stranded with an impotent climate change policy since 2011 when the Bailleiu government gutted the Climate Change Act," said Leigh Ewbank, Friends of the Earth's climate change spokesperson.

Friends of the Earth say the opposition's vote against steps to restore the climate change legislation was a failure of leadership that exposes Victorian communities to climate change impacts.

"Preventing climate change from worsening is something all political parties can support. Failure to restore the state climate change act will expose communities to increased drought, heatwaves, and bushfire risk," said Leigh Ewbank.

Friends of the Earth -- the organisation that coordinated successful community campaigns for a permanent ban on unconventional gas and a Victorian Renewable Energy Target -- said the opposition can redeem itself on the issue by supporting the amendments to the climate act in the upper house.

"Opposition leader Matthew Guy failed his first test of climate leadership by voting against the Climate Change Act in the lower house," said Leigh Ewbank.

"The opposition can redeem itself and be on the right side of history by supporting passage of the act in the upper house."

"The community would welcome Liberal and National party support for the strengthened climate legislation and ambitious Emissions Reduction Targets for the state."

Friends of the Earth are closely monitoring the passage of the Victorian Climate Change Act. An upper house vote is expected early in 2017.

TAKE ACTION:

• Send a message to Premier Daniel Andrews and opposition leader Matthew Guy to call for strong action on climate change in Victoria. 
• Contact acting FoE campaigns coordinator Leigh Ewbank to get involved in our work to tackle climate change: leigh.ewbank@foe.org.au  

Friends of the Earth has welcomed the Andrews government's plans to modernise and strengthen the Victorian Environmental Protection Authority in response to an extensive review of the body--the first since 1971. 

"We welcome the Andrews government’s moves to strengthen the EPA," said Leigh Ewbank, Friends of the Earth campaign coordinator. 

"These reforms will help bring the EPA into the 21st Century and equip it to protect communities and environment from emerging issues such as decommissioning coal mines and power plants."

Friends of the Earth say the EPA reforms come as the state grapples with climate change. 

"Victoria needs a strong EPA to tackle climate change. The Federal government's policy failure on climate change requires leadership at the state level."

"An strengthened EPA will provide additional tools for the state government to cut greenhouse gas pollution and prevent climate change from getting worse."

Friends of the Earth look forward to seeing the planned restructure of the EPA this year paying dividends into the future. 

The group will closely monitor the passage of amendments to modernise and strengthen the Environment Protection Act.

"An effective Environment Protection Authority is something all political parties can support. We look forward to seeing support from the opposition and crossbench so these reforms are implemented swiftly."

We would like to pass on our thanks to all our members and supporters who helped us achieve such great campaign outcomes in 2016.

The campaigns office will be closed from saturday Dec 24 until 10am on monday January 9.

We wish you a peaceful, sustainable and restful Christmas and New Year. See you in 2017.

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