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.

In November 2018, Victorians will head to the polls. With community concern about climate change on the rise, it's an issue that all political parties must address in detail.

Our state is undergoing profound change as the population grows, entire industries go to the wall, and climate change starts to really impact on our landscapes, economy and lifestyles. Yet Melbourne continues to sprawl, as low density development covers valuable farmland and remnant vegetation, supported by transport infrastructure that will perpetuate our current reliance on cars.

An election provides all parties with the opportunity to demonstrate leadership on the interconnected issues of climate, energy, social justice, and the economy.

MEDIA RELEASE: 29 March 2018

Friends of the Earth "disappointed" with major delay to Victoria's climate targets

National environment group Friends of the Earth have expressed disappointment regarding a major delay to state climate change policy. 

The process for setting Victoria's first interim Emissions Reduction Targets has been delayed by almost a year.  

"The Andrews government promised to set the state's first Emissions Reduction Targets this year, but that process has been delayed by almost a year," said Leigh Ewbank, Friends of the Earth's climate change spokesperson. 

"With alarming melting of the polar icecaps and autumn bushfires, the Andrews government doesn't have time to waste on climate change."

"Victorians who are concerned about climate change will be disappointed by the delay and will look to Premier Daniel Andrews to ensure climate change is a feature of the May budget."

Media release – Tuesday March 27, 2018

National environment group Friends of the Earth (FoE) has welcomed the announcement by the Andrews government that it will increase protection of the Kuark forest in East Gippsland.

The state and federal governments have extended the Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs) for another two years and announced protections for East Gippsland.

Friends of the Earth is calling on the Andrews government to place a moratorium on logging in sensitive areas under new forestry arrangements that are expected to be announced this week and publicly reject logging industry calls to log Victoria’s National Parks.

Old growth forest scheduled for logging in East Gippsland

Friends of the Earth has welcomed New South Wales Labor’s announcement that they will not sign off on Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs) unless a full assessment of the science underpinning the decades-old Agreements is completed.

NSW Labor has demanded that climate change be considered as part of a full scientific and environmental impact assessment of the RFAs[1].

Friends of the Earth is calling on the Victorian Labor government to assess impacts on biodiversity and climate change of logging under the existing RFAs.

MEDIA RELEASE: 22 March 2018

Big batteries in Ballarat, Kerang to help Vic meet climate & energy goals: Will the opposition back smart energy investments? 

Victoria has entered the energy storage race with an announcement that the Andrews government will build large-scale batteries in Ballarat and Kerang. But will the Matthew Guy opposition back smart energy investments? 

Friends of the Earth welcomes the announcement and says big batteries in Ballarat and Kerang will help Victoria meet climate and energy targets. 

"The Turnbull government's do-nothing approach to climate change means we need to see more leadership from Victoria, and that's what we're seeing with this announcement from the Andrews Labor government" said Leigh Ewbank, Friends of the Earth's climate change spokesperson.

"Building batteries in Ballarat and Kerang will strengthen Victoria's energy system while helping the state meet legislated targets of 40 percent renewable energy by 2025 and zero emissions by 2050."

Energy policy is a point of difference between the Daniel Andrews government and Matthew Guy opposition as Victoria heads to a state election in eight months time.

The community charter of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) states that DELWP will work with regional communities to support liveable, inclusive and sustainable communities and thriving natural environments and that the charter is only as good as its implementation on the ground.

Talk to regional communities experiencing the implementation of logging on the ground from Victoria's Central Highlands to far East Gippsland and you will hear the same story over and over again . . .

As Victorian’s head to the polls this November, the issue of native forest logging is looking increasingly likely to feature as a major environmental issue in the state election campaign.

The overwhelming majority of Victorian voters support protection of native forests, in fact over 90% of Victorian’s want public forests protected for wildlife, tourism, recreation and a safe climate, and only 7% believe public forests should be logged for wood and paper products![1]

Friends of the Earth’s forest campaigners have been hitting the streets in several suburban electorates recently and in our conversations with voters we’re finding people are concerned with economic issues relating to logging and the industry's reliance on public money.

Friends of the Earth is proudly hosting Professor Poulos to speak about Pesticides in Food.  Emphasis during the presentation will include:  Different susceptibilities to pesticides (based on genetics, age and development in the womb) and acute and chronic health impacts.