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
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
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
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
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
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