Wednesday, 22 March 2023

 Gabrielle DE VIETRI (Richmond) (09:55): This week saw the IPCC deliver a final warning that the window is closing on preventing catastrophic climate destruction. In my electorate over 83 per cent of carbon emissions come from electricity and gas in residential, industrial and commercial buildings. Concerned about the lack of action at a state level, in 2020 an alliance of 24 councils across Victoria, led by Yarra and Merri-bek councils, developed and submitted a planning scheme amendment for zero-carbon building developments. This coalition across a broad political spectrum, known as the Council Alliance for a Sustainable Built Environment, came together under a shared understanding that the current planning requirements do not reflect the urgency needed to tackle climate change. It was years in the making, and the alliance submitted their proposal to this state government on 21 July 2022. Eight months later the document still sits on the minister’s desk awaiting approval. In light of the IPCC report this week, it is critical we do everything to urgently bring down carbon emissions to avoid catastrophic climate change. Furthermore, in a cost-of-living crisis, zero-carbon buildings make sense, socially, environmentally and economically. I urge the Minister for Planning to approve this planning scheme amendment as a matter of urgency.