Could Melbourne be the next green capital of Australia?
Through a series of laws, initiatives and governmental targets, Melbourne is quickly establishing itself as the green capital of Australia. Are you doing your part?
The goals set for Melbourne are ambitious. Climate change is something that threatens not just Australia, but the world as a whole, and Melbourne is taking big steps forward in order to help solve this environmental crisis.
By 2050, the Victorian government is aiming to have the total net emissions for the state hit a rock bottom zero, ensuring that for every tonne of carbon released, there is some process in place in order to mitigate the damage. As a result, the state could end up keeping the total global temperature rise to under two degrees, ensuring that rising sea levels and melting ice caps are at least somewhat protected.
Could your Melbourne property choices help to reduce damage to the climate?A challenging task
The task of reducing climate change and establishing Melbourne as the home of conservation is up to you.
Zero net emissions is a large ask, and while the goal is a challenge to businesses, governments and average Melburnians, it is not expected that the change happens all at once. Instead, there is a staged approach in place, allowing for rapid but still sustainable adjustments.
For example, by the end of 2020, the Victorian government is aiming for an abatement of at least 6.5 million tonnes of carbon, according to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, with 5.9 million tonnes expected to be eliminated by next year.
Beyond the government
Business and corporations are also getting involved, such as the bodies that are founding members of Take2, an initiative intended to spur people to take on an environmentally conscious pledge to protect the climate. Consumers are also free to make their own pledges, which revolves around individual agency and responsibility for the climate, tackling everyday tasks in the way we work, live and play and trying to cut down on the emissions that we create.
It isn’t just locals that are making a stand either, with property industry heavyweights, such as the Property Council, throwing themselves behind the initiative as a founding member.
Property industry pledges support
“We support an approach which is steady, sensible and considered. The built environment accounts for 23 per cent of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, so the property industry will play a vital role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” explained Property Council Victoria Acting Executive Director Asher Judah.
That isn’t to say that governing bodies have been idle either. New apartment standards that improve energy efficiency are already on the books, while renewable energy targets in particular are being pushed for widespread adoption across the state. Even infrastructure such as the recently endorsed Melbourne Bike Plan makes mention of their intent to remove a significant portion of the cars from the city’s roads, making it cleaner and greener for residents and visitors alike.
What can you do?
These green initiatives, pushes and plans are all very well and good, but there is still plenty that the average Melburnian homeowner can do to get involved as well.
Improving the energy efficiency of your home and/or investment properties through insulation and draught elimination could be a good start, while those who are keen to reduce their energy bill as well as their impact would do well to look at the installation of solar panels.
Your property could do a lot to help make Melbourne the green capital of Australia, and continue to uphold our reputation as one of the most liveable cities in the world. If you’re interested in purchasing or renting a home in Melbourne, make sure you get in touch with the experts at Nelson Alexander to find a new environmentally-friendly place to live.
