The recent floods in Queensland and New South Wales have only reinforced the urgency for a holistic and comprehensive Australian Federal Government response to support local governments and communities in their effort to adapt, mitigate and build resilience to climate change now. 

Ahead of the Federal Election, ICLEI Oceania with the Australian Local Government Association and Council of Capital City Lord Mayors, have invited the Ministers and Shadow Ministers from the major parties to a series of Pre-Federal Election Mayoral Roundtables on climate action as an opportunity to learn about party priorities and to collaborate with and support local governments to accelerate climate action. Thus far, Minister’s Angus Tayor and Susan Ley have declined however, the group is awaiting confirmations from Assistant Minister Tim Wilson, Shadow Minister Chris Bowen and Greens Leader Adam Bandt.

A growing number of Mayors across Australia are working together to make clear that local governments play a vital role in meeting national emissions targets and addressing common problems that currently limit their ability to accelerate climate action. 

In early February, more than twenty five Mayors, Deputy Mayors and delegated representatives of ICLEI Oceania and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) Oceania came together for a Mayoral Roundtable planning session to build on the joint advocacy done in 2021 and get determine how we can work together to accelerate action in 2022.

This builds on the collective effort of 2021 that made clear that local governments play a vital role in meeting national emissions targets and that local governments are limited in their ability to accelerate climate action due to common barriers.

In 2022 the Australian Federal Election and COP27 Sharm-El-Sheik frame the opportunity for the Australian Federal Government to accelerate climate action through meaningful partnership with local governments and deliver an ambitious 2030 target as part of their Nationally Determined Contribution at COP27 Sharm El-Sheikh. 

ICLEI Oceania, the Global Covenant of Mayors with the Better Futures Working Group are working together to take greater action. If you are interested to get involved, please email jessica.robbins@iclei.org.