Victoria urged to cut gas use if it is to achieve 75% emissions reduction target

Gas burned in homes and small businesses will be responsible for up to 37% of the state’s emissions by 2035, Environment Victoria predicts. Photograph: Seiya Tabuchi/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Gas use needs to be cut to achieve the Andrews government’s target to reduce emissions by at least 75% by 2035, with analysis from Environment Victoria finding the closure of coal-fired power plants won’t be enough to meet the goal.

The non-for-profit’s report, being released on Tuesday, found closing the state’s coal-fired power plants and reaching 95% renewable energy by 2035 will still leave a substantial “emissions gap” of 18-24m tonnes of carbon pollution that will need to be met by other sectors – predominately gas.