The Ballarat Climate Action Network is calling for the Andrews government to define its targets in line with limiting warming to 1.5°C.

The group has sent out a statement, which has been endorsed by local unions, requesting that "bold, strong, ambitions and above all, science-based emissions reduction targets" be set.

The statement is calling for community leaders to endorse their calling for 1.5°C reduction target "to help send the message that the community wants a safe climate and that Victoria can be a leader on climate action."

"The difference between 1.5 degrees and two degrees [change in climate] might seem small but it's not," said Elizabeth Wade of the Ballarat Climate Action Network.

She cited one report written by the economist Ross Garnaut in 2008 that suggested that the Great Barrier Reef would be dead, or near to dead, with a temperature rise of 2 degrees.

The same analysis suggested that the Murray-Darling Basin would lose half of its annual irrigated agricultural output by half way through the century without mitigation.

Ms Wade said warnings such as this were pushing her to act.

"It is such an important issue and we hope the Victorian Government can continue to lead the way.

"Strong targets will drive the transition and drive industry and give us a chance to meet the goals we need for a safer future."

"The climate strategy is the next step - the work doesn't stop here. We need all hands on deck here to change the way things are.

"Each person, each level of government needs to do all they can to make this happen."

"Everything is going to get worse if we don't do all we can to reduce emissions as quickly as possible."

The campaign also has broader support, including among some metro councils. Last month, a group including the mayors of Yarra City Council, Darebin City Council and Moreland City Council, as well as Ballarat's deputy mayor Cr Belinda Coates, made the same call.

"Councils can't do it alone. This bold target would facilitate stronger local and state government emission reduction partnerships across a range of areas from transport and energy, to the built environment and agriculture," Cr Coates said.

At a meeting held at Yarra City Council for the Cities Power Partnership, they called for targets to allow Victoria to become a renewables leader. They cited an interim emissions reduction target of 44% below 2005 levels by 2025 and 70 per cent emissions target below 2030 levels. A separate aim would also be to hit a 100 per cent state-wide renewable energy target by 2030.

Local MPs Michaela Settle and Juliana Addison have previously backed the campaign, which is subtitled "lead the drive for less than 1.5."

The state government is due to confirm interim emissions targets for 2025 and 2030 this month.

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