Victorian Current Acts

CLIMATE CHANGE ACT 2017 - SECT 12

    (1)     Before determining an interim emissions reduction target, the Minister must obtain advice from one or more persons who are appropriately qualified, in the Minister's opinion, to act as an independent expert.

    (2)     The advice obtained under subsection (1) must include the following—

        (a)     one or more recommended interim targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions during the interim target period;

        (b)     indicative trajectories for the State to achieve the long-term emissions reduction target based on each option identified in paragraph (a);

        (c)     potential opportunities across the Victorian economy as a whole for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the most efficient and cost‑effective manner in the interim target period;

        (d)     any other matters on which the Minister, in consultation with the Premier, considers appropriate.

    (3)     In forming the advice, an independent expert must consider the following—

        (a)     the long-term emissions reduction target;

        (b)     relevant up-to-date climate science, including any climate science report;

        (c)     any technology relevant to climate change;

        (d)     economic circumstances, in particular the likely impact of the target on the economy and the competitiveness of particular sectors of the economy;

        (e)     social circumstances, in particular the likely impact of the target on the health and wellbeing of Victorians;

        (f)     environmental circumstances, in particular the benefits to the environment of emissions reduction;

        (g)     existing national and global action on climate change, including any undertakings relating to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions that Australia has given under international climate change agreements;

        (h)     any progress towards the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, including any annual greenhouse gas emissions report;

              (i)     the matters required to be considered by the Premier and the Minister under section 14(1)(c), (d) and (2).

    (4)     The Minister may obtain one piece of independent expert advice in respect of both interim emissions reduction targets required under section 10(2).