Victoria is among the world's worst greenhouse gas producers and the state's reliance on coal fired power plants means the electricity industry generates around half of Victoria’s greenhouse emissions.

The British Government's Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change, released earlier this week, reinforces the CSIRO's own calculations that Melbourne's water supplies could be reduced by up to 35 per cent if climate change produces a two degree average temperature increase.

"This is why we can no longer afford to stand on the climate change sidelines," said Louis Delacretaz, the Greens Energy spokesperson and Upper House candidate for Eastern Victoria. "The Bracks Government has extended the life of the Hazelwood power station - the oldest and dirtiest electricity generator - and the Liberals support them on this. This is just climate change madness."

"The Greens will work to reduce green house emissions by 20 per cent by 2015 - and 80 per cent by 2050," said Louis Delacretaz. "This is Greens policy, and only these targets and timelines will meet the climate change challenge that has been now confirmed not only by the CSIRO, but also the Stern Review."

"Victoria can achieve these targets by building energy efficiency into homes and workplaces, investing heavily in wind and solar energy, and by phasing out brown coal use," said Louis Delacretaz. "We must close Hazelwood to reach the 20 per cent by 2015 target and phase out the other coal fired stations to achieve the 80 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas pollution by 2050."

"With the Greens push for investment in wind and solar, Victoria could be generating 20 percent of the state's power from renewable sources by 2020,” said Louis Delacretaz. "The Greens are the only party committed to real action on climate change."

For more information and comment, please contact:
Louis Delacretaz on (mob) 0407 300 188
or
Dave Lane on (mob)0419 156 213.

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