In late February, champions of urban sustainability action came together as part of our first Member Corner event to share their successes, inspiration and barriers from last year as well as their priorities for the year ahead. During this peer-to-peer exchange members worked together to develop a deeper understanding of approaches and to share solutions in how to overcome challenges shaping a climate safe and sustainable future. Here are some of the highlights:

Dreams for 2022

• Climate action is embedded into the DNA of our council organisation – we understand the importance, the scale and pace of change needed, and how to take practical climate action in our work.

• Our local aspirations (goals, targets and climate workstreams) are supported by bold and enabling central government policies and government leadership at all levels.

• Our community and businesses understand their actions make a difference (agency and the courage to act) and are actively involved in co-creating the world we want to pass on to our children.

• Urgently curbing emissions and improved community understanding and resilience to climate change.

Barriers to Action

• Funding is ad hoc and highly political i.e. seems all disaster based now. Needs to be more consistent over time via a legislated climate fund.

• Attention deficit - noise, distractions and latest eco-bling. Thought bubbles can override credible and significant emission reductions.

• Conflicting priorities – pandemic, short-term costs and economic growth

• Lack of transformative leadership – champions to guide our pathway and unite actors

• Whole of system-change required - enabling central government policies

• Cost – perceived or reality

• Complexity – clear vision, compass and tools needed

• Turn-over – staff and politicians – making it harder to build momentum and provide consistent leadership. Industry has seen a lot of rollercoasters and lost skilled personnel. Often people are passionate, but it needs a wide range of skills that can be quite complex.

• Challenges in partnering with central government agencies for local delivery

Enablers to action 

• Bi-partisan political support to climate action with resources for local government

• Capacity, support, tools and training

• Resources – central government climate change fund to enable innovation and practical solutions.

• Incorporation of climate change into key documents – such as asset management plans, long term financial management plans, annual plans, 5 year plans, strategic vision docs, council briefing reports and risk registers.

• Climate impact assessment tool to enable informed decision making.

• Lifecycle business case, cost/benefit tools to support holistic and long-term decision making e.g. the shadow price of carbon, infrastructure carbon calculations

• Establishing holistic climate programmes of work – adaptation, resilience and emission reduction.

• Solid state-based cost benefit tool.

• Bringing community on the journey.

Highlights of Opportunities and Initiatives

Tony Moore, Climate Resilience Lead from Christchurch City Council shared that the City is developing a climate impact assessment tool to help make more informed decisions about the life cycle impacts of infrastructure. He stated that a real barrier to making progress is the misconception that sustainable solutions are more expensive, when in reality being smarter with our resources and being more resilient to climate impacts will lead to lower long term costs. Christchurch City Council is a signatory to the Cities Race To Zero and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy.

Kat Ryan, Coordinator of Environmental Projects and Strategy from the City of Unley (SA) shared the success their city has had with the Very High-Resolution Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) Derived Tree Canopy Change Detection’ project in improving tree canopy. Check out their new canopy app called “My Canopy” and Unley.sa.gov.au/trees for more information. with City of Unley Mayor Michael Hewitson discussing their tree canopy project. She also expressed the need for greater automation around carbon reporting and assessing carbon footprints. City of Unley is a signatory to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy.

Alison Johnson, Climate Resilience Officer from Brighton Council in Tasmania provided information on Brighton’s corporate emission reduction work to reduce emissions by 30% by 2030 and corporate climate change adaptation plan and the Southern Tasmanian Councils Authority Regional Climate Change Initiative that is enabling regional collaboration and data sharing on climate action. Brighton Council is a signatory to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy and participant of CitiesWithNature. 

Michelle Wyatt, Climate Change and Environment Manager from the City of Greater Bendigo (VIC) shared how her local government’s climate collaboration is bringing together partners across sectors to leverage their influence and resources in order to achieve their climate action goals. They are also preparing a zero-carbon plan for their city as well as a regional approach to carbon offsetting in the city’s drive for carbon neutrality by 2030. City of Bendigo is a signatory to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy.

Timothy Ey, Sustainability Officer from the Mackay Regional Council (QLD) shared that Mackay is continuing to implement their Environmental Sustainability Strategy developed around ICLEI’s Urban Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2017. Mackay is focused on a corporate emission reduction plan as a first step before engaging industry and business in a net-zero pathway for the region more broadly as well as exploring CitiesWithNature and Urban Greening. Mackay Regional Council is participating in the ICLEI CitiesWithNature.

Lynne Powell, Sustainability and Climate Change Coordinator from Cairns Regional Council (QLD) shared her council’s plan for implementing a climate strategy in synergy with a coastal hazard adaptation strategy. Lynne aspires to have the Council integrate its climate initiatives into the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals so the community can better understand how climate change links with a sustainable environment, society and economy. Cairns Regional Council is also participating in ICLEIs CitiesWithNature.

Reflections of 2021

2021 brought enormous challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic and related crises that followed to the massive wildfires and flooding as the challenges of extreme weather became more severe. But through the challenges we also saw progress, success and growing momentum particularly in climate change. Some points of inspiration and progress including:

• A noted shift in the collective psyche of local governments around the urgency of climate change which has led to improved momentum and normalisation of climate policies. 

• The growth of progressive management within councils who are more supportive and open to building sustainability and climate change teams. 

• Shifting momentum towards climate action energised by COP26 and growing recognition of the vital role of local government in driving action.

• An increase in the number of local governments who have declared climate emergencies or taking action. 

• A surge in community building and collaboration around climate action.

ICLEI Oceania will convene our network for future Member Corner and peer to peer learning events. If you are keen to learn more about ICLEI Oceania Membership, OCEANIA@ICLEI.org