5.3.2 MidCoast Council climate emergency declaration

5.3.2 MidCoast Council climate emergency declaration

At its ordinary Council meeting on 23rd October 2019, the following resolution was passed.

355/19 RESOLUTION (Moved Cr C Pontin/Seconded Cr D Keegan) That Council: 1. Notes progress in developing a risk-based Climate Change Policy and Action Plan. 2. Recognises that we are in a state of climate crisis that requires urgent action by all levels of government, including by local governments, and declares a climate emergency. 3. Engages with the community in the development of this climate action work; and 4. Calls on the state and federal governments to declare a climate emergency and in a bipartisan manner, make clear, effective and unambiguous steps to avert a climate crisis in NSW and

Australia.

Following the passing of this resolution by councillors, the following information and commitments were publicised.

MidCoast Council recognises a state of climate emergency exists, with the elected Councillors declaring a climate emergency in October 2019. In declaring a state of climate emergency, Council affirmed that urgent action is required by all levels of government to take clear steps to avert a climate crisis. This declaration recognises our commitment to mitigating the impacts of climate change over a number of years. It also recognises the responsibility of all government, including local councils, to reduce carbon emissions and help our communities adapt to the impacts of climate change. We need to plan for the unavoidable impacts of climate change, especially the risk of inundation of low-lying areas, accelerated coastal erosion, the reduction in annual rainfall, stream flow and water supply. To do this we are developing a risk-based Climate Change Policy and Action Plan, to both manage and reduce our greenhouse emissions, and adapt our practices to reduce our impact on the environment and our communities.

While mitigation and adaptation actions have been undertaken across the MidCoast for some time now, the action plan is an opportunity to bring all these measures together, and plan for future sustained actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Developing a climate change policy and an action plan is the first step, and we will engage with our community to ensure climate change risks and impacts are understood and managed collaboratively.

Climate Change Strategy