The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s call for a clear plan for the state’s transition to net zero emissions has gained further backing from a recent survey of its members.
The survey, which garnered 503 responses, revealed that 86 per cent of businesses believe that shifting to renewables will impact the quality of their output.
Nearly half of the respondents indicated that they will not need to replace their gas appliances for the next 10 to 20 years.
However, requiring businesses to switch from gas to electricity could significantly increase their operating costs.
The power outages experienced in February in Victoria also had a significant impact on businesses, with 73 per cent of survey respondents forced to either close or significantly reduce their operations.
The survey also highlighted financial concerns, with 81 per cent of respondents citing cost as the main barrier to switching from gas to electricity.
Additionally, 74 per cent of businesses reported that they are not financially planning to transition to cleaner energy sources, indicating the financial strain many are already under.
Looking ahead, 71 per cent of businesses believe that the state government needs to unlock new Victorian gas supply to reduce the cost of gas.
Energy policies remain the top concern for Victorian businesses, followed by workforce and taxation issues.
Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive Paul Guerra stated: “These results, direct from our members, confirm that the transition away from natural gas to other energy sources is the number one concern for Victorian businesses.
“Businesses need access to affordable and reliable energy to continue to operate viably in Victoria, and there is great concern that this is not guaranteed through the transition to net zero.”
Guerra emphasised the importance of collaboration with industry on strategy, planning, and investment to ensure a mix of energy sources throughout the transition to net zero, allowing businesses to operate effectively and sustainably.
