LG investment in renewables can drive economic recovery: CPP

A new
report has identified how councils can invest in renewable energy, urban
greening, and climate action to drive local economic recovery.

Published by Cities Power Partnership (CPP), the Clean Jobs for Communities report says towns and cities can play a crucial role in helping overcome Australia overcome its climate and health crises.

“Local governments have long been energy and climate trailblazers,” the report says.

“They are surging ahead with emissions reduction plans, switching to cleaner energy and building greener, efficient and more resilient communities.”

As the
country looks to recover from Covid-19, councils can create clean, local jobs
within councils and local communities by:

• Driving
  renewable energy and storage;
• Rolling
  out energy efficiency measures;
• Accelerating
  and advocating for sustainable transport links;
• Increasing
  revegetation and urban greening;
• Integrating
  circular economy principles across council;
• Actively
  educating communities on the importance of climate change action;
• Supporting
  local businesses to be more sustainable; and
• Prioritising
  local businesses, skills, and supplies.

The report is based on analysis from the Climate Council’s Clean Jobs Plan, and includes 40 on-the-ground local government case studies that include energy, emissions and financial savings, jobs created, and cost figures.

The Cities Power Partnership is a local government climate action network comprising over 140  councils nationwide.