Business chamber wants lofty renewable target

VICTORIA’S business chamber has called on the state government to raise its ambition on climate action and achieve 95-per-cent renewable energy state-wide by 2035.

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has released a roadmap towards a net-zero economy for the state’s businesses.

It argues that increased investment would help reduce the burden of energy costs and support businesses through the energy transition, while attracting private investment and establishing Victoria as a manufacturing leader in the renewable sector.

A Chamber survey found that 53 per cent of businesses wanted to see more state spending in renewable infrastructure, while three-quarters said they didn’t get enough support for increased energy costs.

The roadmap recommendations include a renewable energy roadmap from the government, financial support for renewable transitions including solar subsidies, and development of a skilled workforce for future energies.

“The energy crisis is one of the biggest challenges businesses are facing in 2023,” Chamber CEO Paul Guerra said. “That’s why the Victorian Chamber is taking a proactive approach to raise awareness and provide practical solutions to reduce costs, ensure reliable energy supply and support businesses’ transition to a net-zero economy.

“The transition to net-zero presents a unique opportunity for industry, and the Victorian economy. It is imperative that Victorian business and the state government take a leadership role and use the transition to a net-zero economy as an opportunity to drive economic growth.

“Reducing emissions is about more than the environment; the renewable energy manufacturing sector could and should be a key component of Victoria’s manufacturing future.

We have some of the best, if not the best, conditions for producing renewable energy in the world so we should be grasping this opportunity with both hands.”

The state government presently has a target of all government operations, including services, hospitals and schools, to be powered by renewables by 2025.

It also aims to cut its emissions to half of 2005 levels by 2030, and be net-zero by 2050.

The government announced its latest targets in 2021, and it is due to set 2035 goals this year.