Mornington Peninsula Shire adopts ambitious Climate Emergency Plan
On Tuesday 25 August 2020, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council (MPS) unanimously adopted its ambitious Climate Emergency Plan – Ensuring Our Future: Our Climate Emergency Response, the sixth Climate Emergency Plan developed and adopted by an Australian local government.
Mornington Peninsula Shire was the 34th Council in Australia to declare a Climate Emergency. There are now 96 Australian Councils that have also declared a climate emergency.
According to Mayor Cr Sam Hearn, the journey to establishing this Plan has meant confronting stark realities, but in doing so has allowed them to construct a long-term community-driven Plan.
“The need to act to stop climate change and create a better future story is more urgent than ever,” said Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor Hearn.
“Since the declaration, we’ve talked with our community; listened to concerns, gathered ideas and nutted out how we can collaborate to build a better future. Along the way, we have encountered a stark reminder that we are all connected and our current and future well-being is collective”.
Mornington Peninsula Shire, home to around 164,000 people, is located south-east of Melbourne covering an area of 723km2 and is both a member of ICLEI and a signatory to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy.
This Climate Emergency Plan will guide the Peninsula towards zero carbon emissions by 2040. Actions are described in what the Shire calls the ‘Seven Summits’ (below).
leadership and governance
climate advocacy
zero carbon energy
a resilient and adaptive community
sustainable transport and travel
sustainable land use and environmental restoration
circular economy and zero waste.
Mornington Peninsula Shire is now focused on achieving the targets of this Plan and have accelerated many projects based on the climate emergency declaration, including:
Incorporating environmentally sustainable design in the planning scheme.
Three significant recycled water projects have progressed to support agricultural growth and drought proofing of the Peninsula.
The Beyond Zero Waste Strategy was also adopted on 25 August 2020.
The Shire’s economic stimulus projects are being aligned to climate emergency objectives, including the creation of tree-lined footpaths.
Media release: 28 August 2020, Council ensuring the Peninsula’s future – our Climate Emergency Plan