A second Cairns Youth Climate Summit will be held this week as part of the development of Council's Cairns Climate Change Strategy 2030.
More than 30 senior school children from across the region will outline their hopes, ideas and suggestions for climate action in Cairns at Tanks Arts Centre on Wednesday.
The summit is one of three community and industry climate forums planned for this week.
Industry and stakeholders will take part in an event on Thursday while community members are invited to an evening forum on Thursday at Tanks from 5pm.
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said the Climate Strategy would help set a pathway to net zero emissions.
"We at Council are committed to the ideas and efforts of our young people – our future – as well as getting input from representatives from the community and business to shape our Cairns Climate Change Strategy 2030," Cr Manning said.
The climate strategy will cover Council's own operations, set a Council target towards net zero emissions, as well as setting out actions to support the community in achieving the Queensland Government's net zero emissions target by 2050.
More than 130 experts, community and industry leaders have been consulted already as part of the strategy development during 11 workshops on topics including electric vehicles, clean jobs and the smart green economy.
More than 500 people responded to Council's climate change survey, hosted earlier this year, and 88 per cent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that it was important for Council to take a lead role on climate action in Cairns.
Almost 90% of respondents at the Cairns Show (89.5%) and 97% from ECOfiesta were concerned or strongly concerned about the impacts of climate change.
Council will use the information gathered in workshops, surveys and community engagement to prepare a preliminary draft of the Cairns Climate Change Strategy 2030.
The draft will go to Council and be shared with the community for feedback before it is finalised.
The Cairns Community Climate Forum will be held on Thursday 16 September at Tank 5, Tanks Arts Centre, 46 Collins Avenue from 5pm until 7pm. At the forum community members will have the opportunity to:
- Hear an update on the development of the strategy to date
- Provide input into the strategy objectives and actions
Registration is essential. Details are https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/cairns-climate-change-strategy-2030-community-forum-tickets-169402388103
