Victoria's Urban Policies and Climate Crisis Challenges

Victoria’s City Build Policies Fall Critically Short as Climate Crisis Intensifies

Current policies shaping the development of Victorian cities fail to meet the Paris Agreement commitment of net zero emissions by 2050, according to new research from the University of Melbourne.

The study, published in Climate Policy and led by Dr. Anna Hürlimann, highlights significant gaps in both Victorian and national built environment policies, threatening efforts to meet global climate targets and protect communities from escalating climate change impacts.

The Built Environment and Emissions

The built environment contributes up to 72% of global greenhouse gas emissions. While there have been some advancements in policies governing this sector, Dr. Hürlimann emphasizes that they remain insufficient to ensure sustainable urban development that aligns with net zero goals.

“Our research indicates that while some progress has been made, existing policies fall critically short in securing the changes necessary to meet our climate commitments,” said Dr. Hürlimann.

Gaps in Policy Implementation

The study evaluated 96 built environment policies across local, state, and national levels and revealed concerning statistics:

• 76% of policies lack explicit emissions reduction targets.
• Only 15% of policies align with the Paris Agreement’s climate goals.
• There is no dedicated oversight body to ensure policy effectiveness and accountability.

Although the Victorian government has recently introduced changes to the Planning and Environment Act to consider climate change, researchers stress the need for accompanying policies that offer clear guidelines and support for urban planners and professionals to implement these goals effectively.

Call for Policy Reform

Without strong, enforceable emissions reduction targets embedded in legislation, achieving Australia’s climate commitments remains a challenge. The research urges the Victorian government to:

• Mandate science-based emissions reduction targets across built environment laws and regulations.
• Establish an independent oversight body to monitor policy implementation and progress.
• Strengthen collaboration between policymakers, urban developers, and environmental experts to ensure sustainable city-building strategies.

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