The City of Canada Bay has joined over 1,000 local governments and jurisdictions worldwide to declare a climate emergency.
The declaration was endorsed unanimously at the City of Canada Bay’s September 17 Council meeting following a motion by Councillor Charles Jago.
“We have a responsibility to our community and planet to not only reduce our greenhouse gas emissions but implement climate change mitigation and adaptation measures to safeguard the beautiful place we call home,” said Mayor Angelo Tsirekas.
The declaration is consistent with the position of the NSW Government that councils are responsible for many services and assets likely to be affected by climate change and must take steps to prepare for and minimise its effects.
The City of Canada Bay is the twelfth local government in Greater Sydney region to declare a climate emergency as part of the global movement.
The declaration will see Council take action on the following five recommendations from Councillor Charles Jago’s notice of motion:
- THAT Council recognises that we are in a state of climate emergency that requires urgent action by all levels of government, including local councils and that by taking urgent action it is still possible to prevent the most catastrophic outcomes.
- THAT Building on actions in Council’s Strategic and Operational Plans, and its 2014 Greenhouse Action Plan, Council programs will continue to initiate and promote actions to reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions, and implement climate change mitigation and adaptation measures.
- THAT Council staff prepare a report on updated targets for reduction in consumption of electricity, natural gas, water, vehicle fuel, paper and waste in Council operations, with details of current and possible Council programs in those areas generating greenhouse gas emissions.
- THAT Council staff provide a briefing on possible programs related to emissions reductions or other climate-related areas targeted at the community in the Canada Bay Local Government Area.
- THAT Council calls on state and federal governments to contribute additional funding to support local government programs dealing with climate change, and to accelerate action at state and federal levels to reduce all types of emissions.
The declaration precedes the City of Canada Bay’s draft Environmental Strategy and Emissions Reduction Action Plan which will be on exhibition toward the end of the year.
