Victorians rely on Ambulance Victoria to be there when they need us most. We are there for everyday health emergencies and also for larger emergencies that affect the entire state. As an organisation at the front door of the healthcare system, we see the impacts of climate change.
We agree with the World Health Organisation that "climate change is the biggest global health threat of the 21st century." The recent 2019/20 catastrophic bushfires and extreme heat days we experienced in October are just two examples.
That's why last July, we announced our plan to be a sustainable ambulance service. As part of our vision to become 'net zero carbon' (emissions) by 2050, we immediately reduced 7% of our emissions by switching to renewable energy at high-use AV sites. We're expanding this and aim to source 100% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2025.
As one of Victoria's most trusted services, we not only think we should do better, we know we must do better. We have a responsibility to the community to do so.
That's why we are raising the bar with science-based targets.
AV now pledges to the following reduction targets for our Scope 1 and 2 emissions on our path towards zero net carbon emissions from our 2015 baseline:
- 2025: 39% emissions reduction
- 2030: 60% emissions reduction
- 2045: Net zero emissions
This also means by 2030 we aim to halve the carbon impact of each of our patients served. We are also planning to reach zero net carbon emissions in 2045, five years earlier than originally planned.
Our Sustainability team is helping us reach these commitments through renewable energy use, retrofitting buildings with solar panels and batteries, and adopting hybrid vehicles and transitioning to zero emission vehicles.
All of us at Ambulance Victoria knows our place in an emergency: by your side, and our response to climate change is no different. We will always be by your side, doing our best for you and the rest of Victoria.
Assoc Prof Tony Walker ASM
Chief Executive Officer, Ambulance Victoria
