Local governments prepare for COP26 Global Climate Summit

Australia’s
efforts to address and respond to climate change are not taking full advantage
of the opportunity to partner with local government for more effective emissions
reduction, mitigation, and adaptation solutions.

Speaking
after a meeting of the Global Covenant of Mayors Oceania, Australian Local
Government Association (ALGA) President Linda Scott said the impacts of global
warming and sea-level rise were increasingly being felt in cities, towns, and
regions across the county.

As a result, many local communities are calling for climate action to be stepped up.

“A recent report from the ICLEI, or the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, revealed that if all the targets set by Australian local governments were met CO2 emissions would be reduced by an incredible 88,200 kt,” Cr Scott said.

“This would bring Australia 96 percent of the way to meeting its current target of a 28 percent reduction by 2030.”

“Australian local governments are conducting risk assessments, collaborating with industry on developing innovative solutions to our changing climate, reducing our reliance on dangerous fossil fuels, and rolling out new initiatives to cool cities and urban growth areas,” Cr Scott said.

Having
identified potential solutions to the range of challenges, many councils need
additional resources to implement targeted local projects that help communities
transition to a low-carbon future

Ahead
of the next federal election, ALGA is calling for the next Australian government
to support communities in their climate change response by investing in a Local
Government Climate Change Partnership Fund of $200 million per annum over four
years.

ALGA
is also seeking a targeted disaster mitigation program at the level of $200
million per annum for four years to strengthen community resilience response
and recovery costs.

Analysis commissioned by ALGA indicates these two investment initiatives would deliver a cumulative Gross Domestic Product benefit of over $350 million while creating up to 2350 new jobs.

Cr
Scott said the 2015 UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) had acknowledged the
importance of sub-national governments, including local governments, in
addressing and responding to climate change.

COP26,
which will be held in Glasgow in November, will again likely highlight the
contributions of city and municipal governments in undertaking ambitious
climate actions.

To support local
government climate initiatives in Australia, ALGA recently signed a Memorandum
of understanding (MOU) with ICLEI Oceania to collaborate on:

• Awareness-raising and promotion
  of effective climate action;
• Capacity-building and training
  for councillors and officers; and
• Linking with international
  campaigns and programs such as the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and
  Energy and the current Cities Race to Zero and Cities Race to Resilience campaigns.

“It’s
through partnerships and collaborations that local government can better meet
community expectations for reduced carbon emissions, greater energy efficiency,
and improved heat adaptation strategies,” Cr Scott said.

“All
communities need to prepare for a warmer world and the challenges and
opportunities ahead.

“Local
governments, properly resourced, can help them get ready – more importantly
councils can ensure that no community is left behind in the transition to a
low-carbon economy,” Cr Scott said.

ENDS