A Just Transition Plan is a specific strategy for South Gippsland to move away from the carbon emissions that they say cause global heating whilst ensuring decent work, affordable housing, a dignified older age, and strong and resilient communities for the many rather than the few. Dr Moore said there was a strong sense amongst those attending that now was the time to start planning for a low-carbon future.
“Early planning and action will allow us to pick the upside of the transition and avoid the inevitable costs of waiting too long to act,” she said.

Working groups are being established in a range of key economic areas such agriculture, restoring and protecting biodiversity, energy, work and education, housing, transport, sports, arts and community.  Dr Moore said that while there may still be a few remnant deniers of the climate emergency, the world is moving in the right direction. She noted that all states now have a 2050 zero-carbon target. Likewise, the National Farmers Federation, the Business Council of Australia, and many leading businesses such as BHP and Qantas. Beef and dairy industries are committed to zero carbon by 2030. 

Another of the organisers, Chris Wallace, said “we need to deal with the immediacy of the problems and position ourselves to capture the positive possibilities and opportunities,” he said.

The Just transition team was extremely pleased to welcome Shire CEO, Kerryn Ellis and two council officers who participated in the workshop. “We all need to work together to address the challenges and ensure South Gippsland can capture the opportunities that can come from moving to a low carbon future, so we look forward to talking further with the CEO and Council about collaboration,” Dr Moore said. 

The Just Transition group intends to work widely with the community through an open democratic planning process and is hoping to involve hundreds of people in developing a Just Transition Plan, with at least a first version ready by August next year. The group knows it is embarking on an enormous project and sees the work it is doing as only the very beginnings of a decades-long process of change. 

“It will be the work of generations to reduce the energy and carbon intensity of our economy and society and position South Gippsland to respond to the current and future challenges of climate change,” Dr Moore said. “More and more people care and are concerned and willing to act. The Just Transition Plan project gives everyone a positive way of being engaged and acting for all of our futures,” she said.