Specifically, to reduce greenhouse emissions as rapidly as possible and to assist communities, businesses and the natural environment to adapt.
“The report released this week is a wakeup call to all Australians that climate-change is already having significant impacts that will continue to become more severe over time,” GVEG president Doug Robinson said.
“These impacts will affect all aspects of our lives and require responses at every level, from individual action to all levels of government.
“Based on the best available science, this report outlines what is to come for individuals, infrastructure, business, agriculture, health, water security and the natural environment under different scenarios of warming.
“Which scenario becomes reality will depend on how we respond, as individuals, local communities and as a nation.”
Dr Robinson said the group is pleased with the financial investment, but that’s not the last step.
“We welcome the investment that the Federal and Victorian Governments are already making towards reducing emissions, and their commitment to net-zero by 2050,” he said.
“What this report makes clear, however, is that we need a step change in investment to support climate-change adaptation and emission reduction as fast and deeply as possible.
“We urge the Federal Government to set an ambitious target of at least 70 per cent emissions reduction by 2035 to reduce the risks and impacts of global heating on each and every one of us and our communities and local environment.”