The Victorian Government has released a new Climate Change Strategy that includes a nod to increased walking and cycling, but no clear plan of attack.
The Strategy states that the Victorian Government is “aiming for 25 per cent of trips to be by foot or cycle by 2025”.
This is not a target per se and there is no detailed plan for achieving this, however, the document does reiterate the government’s commitment to rolling out 350 kilometres of walking and bike riding paths, as announced by the Minister for Roads and Safety last year.
This commitment falls under 'Climate smart businesses and communities', one of the five key elements (listed below) in the state’s plan to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and its long-term goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
- A clean energy economy
- Innovation for the future
- Resilient farms and forests
- Clime smart businesses and communities
- Climate resilience and adaption
The strategy includes a series of ambitious targets in response to the increasing urgency of climate change mitigation, which is already causing decreased annual rainfall and increased fire dangers over the spring and summer periods in Victoria.
This includes reducing the state’s emissions from 2005 levels by 45-50 per cent by the year 2030. These targets are on par with those set by the United States and the European Union, and almost double the national 2030 target of 28 per cent.
Victoria will also accelerate the transition to zero emissions vehicles by setting a 50 per cent zero emission vehicle target for all new light vehicle sales by 2030. All new public transport buses will also be zero emission vehicles from 2025.
The Victorian Government will review its reduction targets in 2025. Victorians will be able to monitor the government’s progress via annual emissions reports, which will track the state’s greenhouse gas emission levels.
Check out the Climate Change Strategy here.
Become our friend
Find out more about Bicycle Network and support us in making it easier for people to ride bikes.