CITY OF GREATER Dandenong took out top honours for its first-of-a-kind tool to address climate change in asset and infrastructure project funding bids at the Cities Power Partnership Awards last night.
Greater Dandenong's climate change self-assessment tool is this year's Innovation award winner.
The Cities Power Partnership Awards recognise the work of climate heroes in local governments across the country who are transforming Australia's energy landscape.
Jody Bosman, Director City Planning, Design & Amenity, City of Greater Dandenong said he was proud to have the city's leading tool recognised.
"An agreed action to implement the City of Greater Dandenong's Climate Emergency Strategy 2020-2030 was to develop a robust and straightforward Climate Change Self-Assessment tool that provides a holistic assessment against 10 sustainability themes and assesses the contribution of a proposed capital improvement project towards Council's commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions across all operations by 2025," said Mr Bosman. The tool assesses projects on how well they respond to climate change and how well the 10 themes of Council's Sustainability Strategy 2016-30 are represented.
Cities Power Partnership director, Dr Portia Odell congratulated the City of Greater Dandenong, noting that the winning entry was a shining example of innovation in a competitive field of entrants.
"Greater Dandenong's initiative shows a commitment to embedding emissions reduction across all council processes, and it demonstrates the power of innovative thinking when it comes to reducing council emissions," Dr Odell said.
"The local climate solutions on display at these awards are tangible proof that Australian communities are rising up to meet the challenges of climate change and play a critical role delivering climate solutions in Australia."
"The best part is that when one council finds a solution, many more can follow. As we see through innovative renewable energy deals or novel ways to help the community transition to net zero emissions, this sector is leading the way with practical local climate solutions."
The Cities Power Partnership Awards celebrated outstanding work from local governments in the fields of renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable transport, community engagement and innovation as well as individual climate champion awards.
FULL LIST OF AWARD WINNERS
Renewable Energy Achievement Award Winner: Northern Beaches Council, NSW - Northern Beaches Goes Renewable
Energy Efficiency Achievement Award Winner: Georges River Council, NSW - Working towards net zero emissions
Sustainable Transport Achievement Award Winner: ACT Government, ACT - Zero Emissions Fleet Transition
Community Engagement Achievement Award Winner: City of Adelaide, SA - Sustainability Incentives Scheme Enabling Community Emissions Outcomes
Innovation Award Winner: Greater Dandenong City Council, VIC - Net zero emissions in Council infrastructure and assets bids
Ambition Award Winner: Mornington Peninsula Shire, VIC - Climate Emergency Plan "Ensuring our Future"
Collaboration Award Winner: Darebin City Council, VIC - Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO)
Climate Ambassador Award (elected representative) Winner: Shoalhaven City Council, NSW - Mayor Amanda Findley
Climate Champion Award (council staff) Winner: Cairns Regional Council Sustainability Team, QLD Highly Commended: Hunter Joint Organisation, NSW
Community Choice Award Winner: Borough of Queenscliffe, VIC - Community-led climate emergency response plan
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