Surf Coast Shire Council took the next step on its commitment to addressing climate change endorsing its Climate Emergency Corporate Response Plan (CECRP) at last night's Council meeting (24 June).
The CECRP includes an immediate two-year action plan for the 2021-23 financial years, featuring six key goals with measurable objectives and targets:
The six goals:
1. Our organisation is carbon neutral.
2. Our organisation generates, stores and uses renewable electricity.
3. Our organisation is adapting well to a changing climate.
4. Our organisation aligns with local Registered Aboriginal Parties' Country Plans.
5. Our organisation facilitates and empowers community-led responses to the climate emergency.
6. Our organisation is a climate emergency leader.
In August 2019 Surf Coast Shire Council declared a climate emergency after receiving petitions with more than 1,000 signatures calling for leadership on climate action.
In November 2019, Council endorsed a Climate Emergency Response Roadmap and Cr Kate Gazzard said this latest endorsement, highlights Council's commitment to addressing climate change and becoming a climate emergency leader.
"This is about local government making a difference at a grass roots level and that's what the Climate Emergency Corporate Response Plan allows us to do," Cr Gazzard said.
"It focuses on six key goals that have achievable and tangible objectives, measures and targets. The plan embodies Council's vision for our community and environment to be thriving in a safe climate."
"It's about empowering our people to implement climate solutions at work, supporting our community to take action, advocating our position, and joining in with others responding to the climate emergency."
The plan includes Council targets for its own corporate energy, greenhouse gas emissions, water, waste, land use and biodiversity targets.
New actions will also build on work already being delivered by Council in areas such as energy efficiency and renewable energy, transport, waste, land management, open space operations and emergency management. "Reducing greenhouse gas emissions represents our top priority, and accordingly Council commits to purchasing 100 per cent renewable electricity and becoming a carbon neutral organisation in 2021-22."
"One of our goals is for Council to serve as a model for other organisations and we look forward to collaborating with our community on how we can collectively work towards a low emissions future for the Surf Coast Shire."
