Climate change
Climate change is causing more frequent and intense droughts, floods and bushfires. At Infrastructure Victoria, our work focuses on how to achieve net zero by 2050 and reduce the impacts of extreme weather on the community and economy.
Challenges
Climate change introduces new risks
In the future, there will be more intense bushfires, heatwaves, droughts, heavy rain and coastal flooding due to climate change. Victorians are already experiencing the effects of climate change on our society, economy, and environment. To tackle climate change, we must better understand its risks to build on emissions reduction pledges and find new solutions. Our infrastructure must also be able to handle wild weather, hotter temperatures, higher sea levels, less rain and longer fire seasons.
Infrastructure contributes to climate change
Infrastructure contributes to climate change by generating greenhouse gas emissions. It generates these emissions through its direct operations, the materials used, its construction and the activities it enables. The infrastructure we build today can lock in future emissions, especially if there is no plan to convert it to zero emissions technology later.
Transport emissions need to decline
Transport sector emissions grew more than any other sector's emissions from 1990 to 2018. Road vehicles, like cars and trucks, contribute almost 90% of transport emissions. To achieve net zero Victoria must adopt new transport technologies, like zero emissions electric and hydrogen vehicles.
Key recommendations
Strategically review the climate change consequences for Victoria’s infrastructure needs and priorities, beginning in November 2021 after delivering the adaptation plans under the Climate Change Act 2017.
Last updated Dec 07, 2021
In the next year, develop clear guidance on coastal adaptation planning, including thresholds, triggers, and planning guidelines to support local area decision-making. Invest in coastal protection upgrades and maintenance, including beach and dune protection and rehabilitation, and storm surge protection, over the next 8 years.
Last updated Dec 07, 2021
In the next year, consider policy changes and funding mechanisms so high priority public infrastructure destroyed by emergencies is built to a more resilient standard or in less vulnerable locations.
Last updated Dec 07, 2021
In the next year, update and expand practical instructions for government agencies on integrating climate-related risks into infrastructure assessments. This should include high, medium and low future climate change scenarios, transitional risks and valuing emission reductions.
Last updated Dec 07, 2021
In the next 2 years, publish a statewide electric vehicle charging network strategy, and produce charging infrastructure design standards and payment principles. Over the next 5 years, monitor and review the effectiveness of financial incentives in encouraging early zero emission vehicle purchases. Commit to no longer registering new petrol and diesel vehicles in Victoria by 2035 at the latest, through increasingly stringent vehicle registration emissions standards.
Last updated Dec 07, 2021
Within the next 5 years, require all new government fleet vehicles to be zero emissions vehicles where available. Incentivise uptake of zero emissions freight vehicles through reviewing restrictions on zero emissions freight movements on freight routes.
Last updated Dec 07, 2021
Related resources
Browse all resources
Opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of infrastructure
Infrastructure Victoria’s advice to the Victorian Government on how it can take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of public infrastructure.
Weathering the storm
Find out how Victoria’s infrastructure can be better adapted for more frequent and extreme weather. This can keep Victorians safer and reduce the costs of disaster recovery.
Understanding the impact of sea level rise
In this webinar, our panellists discuss research findings on the impact of sea level rise and the implications for infrastructure.
Reducing emissions and adapting infrastructure for Victoria's changing climate
In this webinar, experts discuss how Victoria can reduce emissions and adapt infrastructure for a changing climate.
