Victoria

Government Structure and Role 

Population: 6.865 million (2023)

GDP: AU$568 billion / US$379 billion

Geographic area (sq miles/kilometers): 
227,594 km² / 87,875 sq mi

Major economic sectors: Financial Services, Agriculture, Healthcare and Social Assistance, Tourism, and Construction

Government size – number of employees: 300,000

Governments & Jurisdictions: 79 metropolitan and regional municipalities (local councils) covered by five economic regions (Barwon South West, Gippsland, Grampians, Hume and Loddon Mallee) and the greater Melbourne metropolitan area

Governance on Climate Change 

Key laws and strategies

Victoria’s Climate Change Act 2017 (CC Act) provides a statewide legislative framework for achieving emission reduction targets and strategies that offer guidance for implementing practical actions to address climate change impacts across the state. In March 2024, the Victorian Parliament passed amendments to the CC Act (Climate Change and Energy Legislation Amendment (Renewable Energy and Storage Targets) Act 2024) to bring forward Victoria’s net zero target to 2045, and legislate three nationally leading interim emissions reduction targets for 2025, 2030 and 2035. Plans and strategies legislated under the CC Act for development every five years include:

  • Victoria’s Climate Science Report: brings together the latest climate change science knowledge gained from the Victorian Government's ongoing investment in climate science. The report gives valuable insight into how Victoria’s climate is changing and what it means for the state’s future. The first report was published in 2019 and a new report will be published in 2024. 

  • Climate Change Strategy: outlines Victoria’s five-yearly priorities and medium- and long-term objectives in emissions reduction and adaptation. Victoria’s first Climate Change Strategy runs until 2025. 

  • Victoria’s emissions reduction pledges: outline emissions reduction actions over five-year periods. The first round of pledges cover six economic sectors (Agriculture; Energy; Industrial Processes and Product Use; Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry; Transport; and Waste) and Whole of Victorian Government's operations.

Adaptation Action Plans (AAPs): covers seven essential systems (Built Environment, Education and Training, Health and Human Services, Natural Environment, Primary Production, Transport, and Water Cycle), Victoria's primary mechanism for adaptation planning.

Place-based adaptation

The Victorian Government has also supported communities to lead climate adaptation action on the ground.  The Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action (DEECA) has produced six Guidance Notes to support local, place-based adaptation efforts, and supported the development of community-led Regional Climate Change Adaptation Strategies to complement statewide AAPs. The Victorian Greenhouse Alliances constitute formal collaborations among Victoria’s 79 local councils, aimed at executing mitigation and adaptation programs for climate action.

Internal governance structure

Victoria has a strong and stable system of government and culture of public accountability. Climate legislation creates whole-of-government oversight, shared accountability and devolved responsibilities to build climate resilience and transition to net zero emissions. In addition, the Victorian Secretaries’ Board provides strategic oversight on progress towards Victoria’s climate change objectives.

Recent and Projected Impacts: MCAP Priority Climate Risks

Extreme Heat: The State has experienced a rise in heatwaves, with projections indicating a doubling of extreme heat days by the 2050s compared to the 1986–2005 average. These heat waves have unevenly impacted the state, with Melbourne facing the highest economic impact, while regional economies dependent on agriculture are particularly vulnerable. 

Drought: The Millennium Drought in south-eastern Australia, lasting over a decade, led to economic losses and environmental degradation. The unprecedented nature of the Millennium Drought triggered a range of responses to water scarcity, from major policy and planning initiatives, to infrastructure upgrades, supply augmentations and improved system management. Long-term trends show a decline in cool-season rainfall since the late 1990s, exacerbating water scarcity and agricultural challenges. 

Wildfires: Wildfires represent another significant climate risk for Victoria, exacerbated by extreme fire weather conditions.  In the last 20 years Victoria has observed a step change in the frequency of very large and intense bushfires, with events like the "Black Saturday" fires in 2009 and the "Black Summer" fires in 2019 and 2020 causing widespread destruction, loss of life, biodiversity impacts and economic damage. Climate projections for Victoria indicate that warming and drying conditions will lead to fuels that are drier and more ready-to-burn; and that the number of days with dangerous weather conditions for wildfires is likely to continue to increase over the next few decades.