Climate change modelling indicates that as Victoria becomes drier and warmer, weather-related hazards are likely to occur more often and potentially be more severe.

Examples of such hazards include heatwaves, severe winds, storms, maximum temperature thresholds and concurrent and/or compounding events.

Victoria’s Climate Change Act 2017 sets a target of net-zero emissions by 2050 and provides a clear signal to all sectors of the Victorian economy regarding the need for significant and sustained action to reduce emissions.

All links in the table below will open in a new window.
Publish year Assurance activity Summary Organisation
2016 Independent Review of the Climate Change Act 2010 (External link) A review into the Climate Change Act 2010, it made recommendations to strengthen Victoria's climate change laws and position Victoria to deal with the challenges of climate change. The Victorian Government's response to the review affirmed its commitment to establish a world-leading legislative foundation for its climate change agenda. Independent
2016 Managing extreme water shortages in Victoria – Lessons from the Millennium Drought (External link) A report documenting the experiences of water managers across Victoria during the drought, it highlights the lessons learned about water planning and management. The report captures the steps taken to address low water resource availability and to ensure equitable, efficient and appropriate use of water, including changes to water resource management and investment in infrastructure, water efficiency and behavioural change programs. The report provides an insight into how the Victorian water entitlement and water planning framework was strengthened to manage future dry climate conditions. Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
2018 Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting & Improvement Framework for Climate Change Adaptation in Victoria (External link) A framework describing a whole-of-government approach to monitoring and evaluating the implementation and effectiveness of actions outlined in the Adaptation Plan - a statewide, cross-sectoral, whole-of-government plan for Victoria’s response to climate change. Victorian Government
2019 Independent Expert Panel: Interim Emissions Reduction Targets for Victoria (2021-2030) Final Report (External link) A report required under the Climate Change Act 2017 for the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change to seek independent expert advice to inform the setting of interim emissions reduction targets. This report covered the independent expert panel's advice on interim targets for 2025 and 2030. Independent
2019 State of the Environment 2018 Report (External link) An assessment of 170 scientific indicators, this report tells the story of the health of Victoria’s environment at a time of unprecedented population growth, and makes recommendations intended to support environmental improvement over the next decade to 2030. Independent
2020 Climate and Disaster Resilience (External link) A report to the Prime Minister on practical options for Australian governments to support and improve Australia’s climate and disaster resilience. The report includes recommendations on building Australia's climate and disaster resilience for consideration by governments and is underpinned by a more detailed technical report. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
2020 Climate Science Report 2019 (External link) A report on the latest climate change science knowledge gained from the Victorian Government’s ongoing investment in climate science. The report provides valuable insights into both how the climate is changing and what it means for Victoria’s future. Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
2020 Victorian Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report 2019 (External link) The Victorian Government's annual report on the state's greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the requirements of Victoria's Climate Change Act 2017. Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
2020 Inquiry into Tackling Climate Change in Victorian Communities (External link) An inquiry into what Victoria's urban, rural and regional communities are doing to tackle climate change and how the Victorian Government could support these communities. Parliament of Victoria
2021 Inquiry into ecosystem decline in Victoria (External link) This report covers a very broad range of issues facing the serious decline of Victoria’s ecosystems including population growth and spread, and climate change. The report makes 74 recommendations to address the range of problems associated with Victoria’s declining ecosystem including Traditional Owner land and fire management practices, and flora and fauna recovery after major bushfires. Parliament of Victoria