Energy

State and local energy strategies must be based on the principles of ecological sustainability and social equity. Renewable energy is the only way to achieve a sustainable energy industry.

The Australian Greens Victoria believe that:

1. State and local energy strategies must be based upon the principles of ecological sustainability and social equity.
   
   
2. Exclusive and efficient use of renewable energy represents the only viable route to achieving a sustainable energy industry.
   
   
3. Incentives for sustainable transformation of the energy sector need to be accompanied by disincentives to the consumption of fossil fuel.
   
   
4. All buildings and appliances need to be energy-efficient and energy conserving.
   
   
5. All households need affordable energy to meet essential needs.
   
   
6. Environmental costs need to be factored into the price of energy in such a way as to encourage and enable a rapid, equitable and affordable shift towards sustainability.
   
   
7. Government has a significant role to play in creating a sustainable energy sector and industries.

The Australian Greens Victoria will work towards:

Targets

1. Binding Victorian emissions targets to achieve a net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from all sources by at least 40% from 1990 levels by 2020, and net zero or negative greenhouse gas emissions as soon as feasible and by no later than 2050.
   
   
2. Implementing measures in Victoria which go towards achieving the Australian Greens' renewable energy target of 90% by 2030.
   
   
3. Phasing out the Victorian use of fossil fuels, using a combination of energy efficiency, energy conservation and renewable energy.
   
   

   Supply

4. The maximum use of renewable energy as an energy source.
   
   
5. Boosting small scale renewable energy generation, including by introducing a fair feed-in tariff and removing barriers to grid connection.
   
   
6. Supporting and assisting the development of markets for alternative sustainable fuels.
   
   
7. Supporting the development and use of sustainable energy storage technologies.
   
   
8. Opposing the burning of woodchips from native forests for power generation.
   
   
9. Developing and implementing complementary policy measures in collaboration with other governments where possible.
   
   

   Demand

10. A reduction in Victorian energy demand by 20% by 2020, with appropriate sectoral targets (for the building sector, transport, etc).
    
    
11. Removing - including through reform of the national energy market and by other measures - perverse incentives that encourage use of fossil fuels and growth
    in energy consumption.
    
    
12. Assisting industrial and commercial energy consumers to reduce consumption.
    
    
13. Supporting companies that assist consumers to conserve energy and to access affordable and reliable renewable energy.
    
    
14. Assisting electricity users to reduce summer peak electricity demand.
    
    
15. Assisting industry to retrofit with low emissions equipment.
    
    
16. Implementing measures to ensure that development across Victoria is energy, water and waste efficient.
    
    
17. Improving and implementing mandatory energy performance standards for buildings.
    
    
18. Mandating compliance with emissions standards and the disclosure of energy performance ratings for buildings prior to construction, refurbishment, sale or lease.
    
    
19. Minimum energy and water efficiency standards for rental housing.
    
    
20. Working with all stakeholders to achieve demand reductions.
    
    
21. Developing, funding and publicising an energy retrofit strategy for existing buildings.
    
    
22. Supporting the production of biofuels by farmers for use as tractor fuels.
    
    
23. Promoting the sustainable use of electric vehicles.
    
    

    Transition and Adaptation

24. Providing structural adjustment assistance for rural and regional consumers.
    
    
25. Ensuring the provision of effective fuel poverty alleviation measures.
    
    
26. The implementation of programs to assist Victoria's coal and energy-intensive industry dependent communities to make the transition to other more sustainable sources of economic prosperity.
    
    

    Funding the Renewable Energy Transition

27. Legislating for 'feed-in' tariffs for renewable energy.
    
    
28. Improving the targets and coverage of the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target (VEET) scheme to further reduce energy consumption by households and businesses.
    
    
29. Financial support for concession holders to convert their homes to meet the 5-star standard.
    
    
30. Ending support for the development of gas- and oil-from-coal, and CCS technologies.
    
    
31. Ensure that any subsidy for the Alcoa aluminium smelter applies only to renewable energy.