APS Response to Victoria’s 2026-30 Climate Change Strategy

The APS commends the Victorian Government on its early commitment to reducing emissions and its comprehensive approach to mitigate the effects of climate change on Victorian society. It is essential that the Strategy is embedded in a broader approach to mitigation and adaptation to climate change, beyond practical and logistical elements of reducing emissions. As the Australian leading peak body for psychologists, we see more opportunities to prepare individuals and the health system for the mental health and wellbeing impacts of climate change and associated natural disasters. The impacts of climate change on mental health and wellbeing are pervasive. The APS advocates for stronger recognition of the psychological impacts of climate change and the role of psychologists in mitigation and adaptation efforts.

Key messages and recommendations:

• Highlighing the strong, multi-faceted interactions between the effects of climate change and mental health and wellbeing.
• Building Victorians’ resilience using a community-based, preventative approach.
• Being guided by First Nations Victorians’, knowledges and wisdom is crucial
• Including psychological science to support initiatives to motivate and promote behaviour change
• Supporting psychologists and mental health professionals affected by climate change
• Growing the psychological workforce to sufficient meet demand and prepare for the future
• Equiping Victorians to be more resilient to the effects of climate change
• Ensuring psychological expertise is incorporated into the Strategy’s governance structures
• Designing programs with ongoing monitoring and evaluation in mind

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