4.4 Managing the Risks of Climate Change
Local government acknowledges that human-induced climate change is occurring and that urgent, ambitious, and immediate action is required at all levels of government to address the climate crisis by reducing emissions, and adapting to the impacts that are now unavoidable.
The LGA recognises the climate crisis, declares a climate and biodiversity emergency and supports the State Government’s ambition to achieve a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050.
The LGA supports its member councils to take the meaningful and immediate actions required, and calls for strong leadership and coordination at all levels of government for ongoing, effective and adequately funded Commonwealth and State Government climate change policies and programs.
Local government accepts that negative impacts from climate change are inevitable, and recognises that building resilience to these impacts is a responsibility shared by everyone. Councils shall continue to be key partners in delivering a strategic response to climate risks.
Building resilience to climate impacts will require significant funding and investment, both now and into the future. Councils shall continue to provide equitable levels of funding and investment, recognising it is incumbent on federal and state governments to subsidise the majority of expenditure required.
Climate risk and vulnerability assessments are vital in identifying climate impacts and determining appropriate actions. Councils shall ensure assessments are conducted with full consideration of available relevant information as part of all council strategic and operational planning processes across all functions and services.
Local government understands that decisions made by councils must take account of all currently available climate data. Local government supports improved availability and regionally relevant data to be provided through state government, so that councils can expand their knowledge base (such as sustainable development, tree management, coastal management, bushfire management, flood mitigation and other climate hazards) to ensure they are ‘best informed to make well rounded decisions’ (LGMLS).
Tackling the impacts of climate change will require community involvement and effort, in partnership with government-led policy and services. Councils should not solely rely on expert input, science and data when making decisions relating to climate change, but should also consider the outcomes of stakeholder and public consultation for better informed decision making and to raise awareness within the community.
Local government provides leadership in the community through proactive actions to reduce energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions. Continual improvement in technologies mean that councils should undertake regular audits of facilities and practices that are energy intensive, seek to reduce energy usage as far as practicable through installation of energy reduction and storage technologies, and contribute to associated policy development and reform where appropriate.
Local government supports that voluntary carbon markets, including renewable energy, carbon offsets, and other low carbon products and services, be supported through clarified carbon accounting and legislation to ensure zero carbon outcomes are cost effective.
Local government supports the Glasgow Climate Pact (2021), the Paris Agreement (2016), and the Kyoto Protocol (2005) for the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions and shall contribute towards the commitments made by the Federal Government to achieve national carbon emission reduction targets, and Net Zero Carbon by 2050.
Local government recognises the need for widespread transition to zero emission transport and the role of emerging technologies to facilitate this and reduce negative impacts such as toxic emissions, engine noise and greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, as road authorities, infrastructure providers, fleet managers and representatives of their local communities, councils should support and encourage the use of zero or low emission vehicles through their planning, policies, investment and procurement activities.