At the regular meeting of the Yarra City Council ( 07-09-2021), councillors resolved to pledge to the Cities Race to Zero campaign in the run up to CoP26 in Glasgow. In a notice of motion put forward by Cr Amanda Stone (ICLEI Oceania Rexcom Chair) council has now joined the Cities Race to Zero and also have made the Better Futures Australia pledge.

Cities Race to Zero is a global campaign, led by the UNFCCC, that brings together an unprecedented coalition of local councils committed to act on climate change. This campaign will be important in the lead up to COP26 in Glasgow, where we hope all countries will be making even more ambitious commitments to reach zero emissions. After COP26 the ‘Race to Zero’ will continue to be a platform for recognition, networking, and climate action for the coming years.

The Cities Race to Zero Pledge means a city will:

Commit to:

• Pledge: to level to reach net zero emissions as soon as possible, and by mid-century at the latest.

• Set an interim 2030 target that reflects maximum effort toward or beyond a fair share of 50% of global emissions reduction.

• Plan: within 12 months of joining, have plans for achieving both interim and longer-term targets.

• Proceed: with immediate and meaningful action toward achieving net zero

• Publish: report progress no later than 2022

Endorse the following principles:

1.     Recognise the climate emergency

2.     Commit to keeping global heating below the 1.5°C goal

3.     Commit to inclusive decision making

4.     Invite and partner with others to recognise the global climate emergency