Cities for Climate Protection
In May 2005, Council joined the Clities for Climate Protection Program - an initiative assisting Cities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as their local contribution to addressing climate change. For more information on this program, see www.iclei.org/index.php?id=2291
Background
In May 2005 the Council resolved:
'That Council join the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) energy efficiency reduction program, Cities for Climate Protection Program.' (Minute No. 125, 10/05/05)
The Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Program is a global initiative designed to assist local governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their own operations and their community. The program is administered in Australia by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), Local Governments for Sustainability Australia and New Zealand, in collaboration with the Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO). Over 200 local governments in Australia are participating in the CCP program. The CCP program is based on an innovative performance framework structured around five milestones that local governments commit to undertake. The milestones allow local governments to better understand how the Council decisions affect energy use and how these decisions can be used to mitigate global climate change while improving community well being. The CCP methodology provides a simple, standardised way of acting to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and of monitoring, measuring and reporting performance The five CCP milestones that the Council has committed to achieving include:
Milestone 1: Conduct an inventory and forecast for community and The Council greenhouse gas emissions.
Comment: This includes an audit of estimated greenhouse gas emissions from both the Council operations and from the activities of the local community. It provides a powerful picture of the sources and scale of emissions. The audit acts as a yardstick of greenhouse gas emissions for a specified baseline year (2004), and also includes estimates of emissions growth into the future assuming a 'business as usual' scenario.
Milestone 2: Establish an emissions reduction goal.
Comment: This is the amount of greenhouse gases the Council aims to reduce from the baseline year. Reduction goals generally vary between Councils depending on such issues as population characteristics, geographic location and resources.
Milestone 3: Develop and adopt a Local Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Comment: The Local Action Plan sets out the actions the Council will be taking to reduce the Council and community greenhouse gas emissions. It also sets strategic directions, reporting frameworks and timelines for implementation. The plan informs and educates community and the Council staff on why certain areas have been prioritised.
Milestone 4: Implement the Local Action Plan.
Comment: The Australian Greenhouse Office currently provides grants to the Councils implementing CCP and has funded work to date on Milestones 1 and 2 in the Blue Mountains. DEUS is also offering substantial grants for energy/ water efficiency projects. The Councils that forge relationships and partnerships with other stakeholders (community groups/ other agencies) can increase and attract additional resources to implement the action plan. Local communities can also actively participate in reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions (for example as evidenced by current climate initiatives and action in the Blackheath community).
Milestone 5: Monitor and report on achievements.
Comment: Reporting progress over time to the Council, the community, other relevant agencies and the Australian and global CCP program, keeps everyone informed and active in working together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Council and the community can also learn from the initiatives implemented.
This item was posted in October 2006.