Zahra Mustaf Climate Policy

Zahra Mustaf

Independent Candidate for Jagajaga

CLIMATE POLICY

Acknowledging the existing climate emergency, the major negative impacts of fossil fuels on the environment and the need for urgent, collaborative solutions towards more ambitious 2030 targets , this document sets out Mustaf’s key climate change policies to significantly decrease the levels of emissions in the atmosphere (mitigation) and increase resilience to ongoing and expected adverse changes to our climate (adaptation).

Climate Mitigation

Energy

  • An immediate stop to new fossil fuel (coal, oil and gas) projects, a phasing out of existing projects and, where possible, repurposing of sites and infrastructure for non-fossil-based uses.
  • Support a ban on thermal coal and its export (which will become increasingly uneconomical) by no later than 2030.
  • Facilitate 100% power generation from renewable sources by 2030 or earlier in line with research that clearly shows this is possible in Victoria, specifically. With about 81% of emissions in Jagajaga coming from gas heating and electricity, we stand to both contribute to, and benefit significantly from meeting this target.
  • Support (and potentially subsidise) measures to use less energy to achieve the same utility outcomes (energy efficiency) including through smart meters, installation of heat pumps, retrofitting of buildings to be more energy efficient in heating and cooling, and setting minimum efficiency standards for appliances.
  • Support the establishment of renewable energy zones across the country where a mix of clean power generation will be brought together with transmission and storage, to deliver more reliable and affordable electricity.
  • Focus primarily on existing and proven climate mitigation methods while supporting further technological innovation and research including on hydrogen futures and carbon capture and storage.

Transportation:

[1] Johnsson, F., Kjärstad, J., & Rootzén, J. (2019). The threat to climate change mitigation posed by the abundance of fossil fuels. Climate Policy, 19(2), 258-274. https://doi.org/10.1080/14693062.2018.1483885

[2] Den Elzen, M., Kuramochi, T., Höhne, N., Cantzler, J., Esmeijer, K., Fekete, H., … & Vandyck, T. (2019). Are the G20 economies making enough progress to meet their NDC targets?. Energy policy, 126, 238-250.

[3] Jotzo, F., Mazouz, S., & Wiseman, J. (2018). Coal transition in Australia: an overview of issues. CCEP Working Papers, (1811).1811_0.pdf (anu.edu.au)

[4] Environment Victoria https://environmentvictoria.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/BRIEFING-PAPER-100-renewables-by-2030-federal-MP-FINAL.pdf

[5] Snapshot, Jagajaga-2019/2020  Electorate Emissions Snapshot

[6] Rosenow, J., Kern, F., & Rogge, K. (2017). The need for comprehensive and well targeted instrument mixes to stimulate energy transitions: The case of energy efficiency policy. Energy Research & Social Science, 33, 95-104.

[7] What are Renewable Energy Zones? | Climate Council

  • Broaden and improve public transportation networks and infrastructure supporting alternative modes of transport including cycling and walking.
  • Increase access to electric vehicles (as well as charging infrastructure) and enable their affordability through a price reduction by up to 13% under a scheme similar to the First Home Buyer Scheme.
  • Support a progressive tax of up to 20% on internal combustion-based vehicles and a complete ban by 2030.

Manufacturing and Industry

  • Support a price on carbon to cause a decline in fossil-reliant technologies and replace them with sustainable, cleaner alternatives.
  • Support strong and effective energy efficiency standards
  • Adopt economic and regulatory mechanisms to limit and, where possible, eliminate emissions of greenhouse gases.

Agriculture and Waste

  • Promote measures to support sustainable food production, affordable healthy diets and a significant reduction in food loss and waste
  • Support economy-wide policies that stimulate a circular economy.

Climate Adaptation:

With increasing and expected weather extremes (such as record high temperatures in urban areas), and recognising the diverse people and communities of Jagajaga as primary stakeholders who are most closely associated with their various localities, I will vigorously support place-based adaptation that genuinely engages residents to plan and design policy responses aimed to:

  • Prevent or distribute loss by decreasing climate change vulnerability or through insurance and similar approaches,
  • modify people’s behaviour that contributes to climate change, or
  • where unavoidable, relocate people or systems away from climate endangered areas.

This policy also recognises the huge opportunity that the climate change-induced transition presents and will therefore be supported by substantial targeted investment to drive innovation, the provision of real jobs, training and business opportunities. It will also be underpinned by the principle of a just and equitable transition that ensures no Jagajaga resident is left behind.

[8] van den Bergh, J., & Botzen, W. (2020). Low-carbon transition is improbable without carbon pricing. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(38), 23219-23220.https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2010380117

[9] The Six-sector solution to the climate crisis (unep.org)

[10] VCCCAR Local Climate Change Adaption Planning-WEB.pdf