1. Put climate first
In every decision we make, we must first ask: Which impact will this decision have on the climate? By 2030, we must have decarbonised the entire municipality, reducing emissions from businesses, hospitals, schools and residences to as close to zero as possible.
As we experienced with the bushfires half a year ago, the degradation of the climate has already reached dangerous levels. From here on, we must put climate first and inspire others to do the same.
#ZeroCarbon2030 #ClimateRealityCheck
2. Localise
Localising the supply of goods and services and strengthening our local community brings numerous advantages. This is a central strategy of the global Transition movement. In the past we had a strong and diverse local economy. It reduces the need for energy to transport things over long distances, and it brings new, meaningful local jobs in micro-businesses. Many people can work from home or close by, reducing overheads and emissions, enabling a more connected lifestyle with greater resilience and security in our community. Working locally also makes available a better work-life balance.
#CommunityResilience #BuildBackBetter #GreenRecovery
3. Regenerate
All species need a safe ecosystem to live within and thrive. The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030 aims to massively scale up the restoration of degraded and destroyed ecosystems as a proven measure to reverse climate change and enhance food security, water supply and biodiversity. We propose to start right here and now, protecting and restoring our environment, keeping our landscapes moist and teeming with life.
#ForPeopleForPlanet #BiodivesityIsHealth
4. Citizens’ democracy
A new democratic decision-making process called ‘citizens’ assemblies‘ has emerged in France, Ireland and the UK. It turns out that when a representative group of ordinary citizens are asked to make decisions on how we solve the climate crisis, unlike politicians with various vested interests, they make decisions that are in alignment with what the science tells us is needed in order to protect ecosystems and societies. We believe it is a task for our Council to create a Citizens’ Assembly on Climate in 2021.
#ClimateConvention #CitizensAssemblies
The climate crisis is not an “issue” – it is an emergency. Climate emergency is the term thousands of scientists say most accurately describes the situation facing humanity.
Neither local, state, federal governments nor the media treat it like one. We say like Greta Thunberg: This needs to change. And the change starts with us.
→ Inspirational: Darebin City Council’s Climate Emergency Strategic Plan
Councils’ rules and responsibilities
The Victorian Government has released guidance for councils on their roles and responsibilities when responding to climate change, a 24-page guidance brief to assist local government decision-makers to understand the scope and deliver on their roles and responsibilities for adaptation under current Victorian legislation.
The document states that “statutory authorities, including local government, have a duty of care in exercising their functions and powers to manage foreseeable risks. Secondly, climate change hazards and risks are significant and foreseeable, so decision-makers are accountable for considering these matters in making a decision as part of exercising their duty of care. Thirdly, good decisionmaking is enabled by acting as a ‘reasonable person’ in making decisions guided by law.
The guidance was developed based on expert legal review and the outcomes from four consultation workshops held with local government in different regions of Victoria in 2019.
→ Read or download the document