Across the Oceania region our ICLEI Members are doing their part to address climate change, reverse biodiversity loss, build a circular economy and drive an inclusive just social transition for all.͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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Message from the interim Regional Director, Kobie BrandAs Deputy Secretary General of ICLEI, I feel very privileged to fulfil the role of interim Regional Director for the ICLEI Oceania Office as we progress on an ambitious revitalisation process of ICLEI’s work across the entire Oceania region. Part of this work is to strengthen our advocacy work, technical assistance and partnerships, as well as to build an extended, dynamic and multi-talented ICLEI team to deepen our value offering and services to ICLEI’s Members from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. ICLEI’s work across the world in support of local and subnational governments' journeys towards sustainability, has never been more important than right now, with multiple and cumulative existential crises facing humanity and our planet. We know that without the commitment and actions of our councils and other subnational entities, the world’s sustainability goals will not be attained. This year is known as the Year of the COPs as we have seen all three Rio Convention COPs convene, following on from the historic UN Summit of the Future, with the aim to agree on a new path for a more prosperous and sustainable future for all. While the vote is still out on numerous pressing matters towards carving out such a path and parting ways with an unsustainable way of life, our cities and our towns are continuing to spearhead new solutions, elevating ambitions and collective action where it matters most, in our streets, our neighbourhoods, our schools, our buildings and our parks. Across the Oceania region our ICLEI Members are doing their part in leading the way, connecting with partners and each other, while supporting their national governments’ ambitions to address climate change, reverse biodiversity loss, build a circular economy and drive an inclusive just social transition for all. This news round-up provides some highlights of achievements and initiatives launched during 2024.
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Paying tribute to ICLEI Oeania’s committed leaders
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We would like to thank and pay tribute to our committed local leaders in the region who have been serving on our new RexCoM (Regional Executive Committee) and our Company Management Board during this busy year! We’d also like to express our special gratitude to the City of Melbourne for continuing to host our growing ICLEI Oceania team in our beautiful, centrally located offices in the heart of Melbourne. Following local elections in Australia, we are soon going to say goodbye to Councillor William Chan from Sydney, who has been serving on our RexCom during the year, but we are very pleased to know that he remains a close friend and advisor to ICLEI. Councillor Amanda Stone from the City of Yarra will step down from her long standing role in our RexCom but continues her highly valued leadership role as Chairperson of ICLEI Oceania’s Management Board. To both of these leaders, thank you for your amazing contributions to ICLEI, especially in this transitional period. And of course, to our other existing leaders, thank you very much for your continued commitment to ICLEI’s team and the work we do. We are looking forward to working with you in the year ahead!
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Local and subnational governments applauded at COP16 for leading roleCBD COP16 may not have concluded as planned in November, yet many meaningful achievements were made in Cali, Colombia. The 8th Summit for Subnational Governments and Cities, an official parallel event to the COP, saw historic success, with over 1500 participants from 81 countries, increased recognition for the vital role of subnational governments, and even deeper participation at the global scale through a whole-of-government approach. The local and subnational government constituency also held a range of other events and sessions throughout the full two weeks of the Biodiversity COP.
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WUF12 underlined importance of working with all sectors to address urban challengesThe 12th World Urban Forum in Cairo (WUF12) concluded with record-breaking participation and the unveiling of the Cairo Call to Action, outlining solutions for urban challenges. Speakers, panellists and attendees from diverse backgrounds, including the Oceania Region, explored the multifaceted dimensions of this year’s theme, “It All Starts at Home!” From civil society engagement and academia’s insights to innovative solutions at the Urban Expo, participants reflected on building inclusive, resilient cities.
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COP29: Cities and regions pressing for stronger, multilevel climate goalsThe 29th Conference of the Parties in Baku, Azerbaijan came at a challenging time, with political upheaval, ongoing wars, recent elections in major democracies and alarming UN reports showing slow progress on climate goals. At the same time, cities and regions went to COP29 with the goal of building on COP28's strong outcomes for local and regional governments - focused on holistic, ambitious and multilevel climate action.
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Councils CaN: ICLEI Oceania launches Climate and Nature suite and invites all Australian Councils to join!Climate and Nature (CaN) is a suite of practical tools, technical support and peer learning platforms to support Australian councils in accelerating local and state-level action, contributing not only to their current and future communities, but also to local and global targets, as direct, urgent and concrete responses to the climate and biodiversity emergencies.
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Join Journeys for Life and protect migratory species moving through your cityJourneys for Life is a new ICLEI-led program that supports the Convention for the Conservation of Migratory Species by establishing a platform for cities that are located along migratory routes of certain species. This initiative will facilitate the exchange of knowledge, resources and best practices to better protect migratory species and their habitats. If your Council is interested in getting involved, please email us with details of the suggested focus species and cities or regions along their migratory route.
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Watch our webinar: Translating the Global Biodiversity Framework & campaigns into local actionLocal governments play a vital role in the conservation and management of biodiversity and in reconnecting communities with nature. They have the opportunity to align the work they do with national and global targets and various initiatives, contributing to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). To support Councils in this space, ICLEI Oceania recently ran a webinar on translating the GBF into local action. Email us for the presentation or resource list.
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Women leaders mapping climate threats in the Pacific IslandsICLEI Oceania worked with church parishioners on Betio, a densely populated island facing critical climate threats, and through mapping and storytelling, identified key environmental risks. An animated digital map will aid future adaptation efforts and government discussions.
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Cities of Darebin and Yarra lead the way with bold, inclusive V2.0 Climate Emergency PlansThe climate emergency movement began in Australia in 2016 when Darebin Council, in Melbourne's inner-north, became the first government body in the world to declare a climate emergency and develop a climate emergency plan. The City of Yarra followed closely, declaring a climate emergency in 2017 alongside Hoboken and Montgomery Counties in the USA. Now, the two Councils have now prepared version two climate emergency plans.
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Welcome to the Age of the Meta CityOn 31 October, we celebrated World Cities Day. It was a timely date to revisit the question: Is the city “dead” or is its demise grossly exaggerated? One of the world’s leading thinkers of cities’ futures, Richard Florida and peers recently raised an important point in a Harvard Business Review article; today’s global cities are at a historical moment where a metropolis’ local workforce can participate in the economic life of a city without actually being there. For business leaders, policy makers and city planners it’s time to embrace the concept of the Meta City. Read more
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Committed to building better food systemsWorld Food Day, an international day to commemorate the date of the founding of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), was celebrated on 16 October. For ICLEI Oceania, it was a day to reflect on the significant challenges we see across our Member cities and regions on issues like waste, nutrition and food sovereignty, and time to reinforce our commitment to building a fairer and healthier food system. Read more
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New Zealand celebrates a year of innovation with Horizon Europe collaborationNew Zealand-based researchers and organisations have had the opportunity to join or lead Horizon Europe - the European Union’s largest-ever research and innovation programme - for twelve months, and this has already delivered important climate adaptation for the country. Read more
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ICLEI and partners launch 2024 Local Government ReviewThe much-anticipated 2024 iteration of Australia’s Local Government review saw ICLEI Oceania, supported by the Global Covenant of Mayors on Climate and Energy; Ironbark; and the Better Futures Australia local government working group stepping up to shine a light on the incisive climate action local and subnational governments are steering towards Australia’s National Determined Contributions (NDCs). Read more
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City of Stirling on track with first trackless trams in AustraliaThe City of Stirling is pioneering Australia's first trackless tram, a cutting-edge, sustainable public transport solution that holds the promise of becoming the future of urban mobility. This innovative mid-tier technology is geared to deliver positive economic, transport and net zero benefits, reaffirming the critical role that cities play in fostering a sustainable and regenerative future. Read more
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What would cities look like with 3 degrees Celsius of warming vs. 1.5?As blistering heat waves punish communities across several continents, 2024 is on track to be the hottest year on record. Global average temperatures are now perilously close to exceeding 1.5 degrees C above pre-industrial levels. According to an article published by the World Resources Institute (WRI), a 3 degree warmer world will be far more hazardous and vastly unequal. Read more
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Upcoming global events for 2024 UN Convention to Combat Desertification COP 16: Saudi Arabia, 2-13 December 2024 Current and upcoming regional events
University of NSW 5th Energy Future Conference (EF5): Sydney, 18-20 November Circularity, Australia's leading annual conference showcasing innovative circular design, practices, and research: Sydney, 26-27 November 2024
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Upcoming ICLEI Oceania Member webinarsAligning Council biodiversity strategies with the Global Biodiversity Framework and the Australian National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan using throughlines Thursday 28 November 2024, 1-2pm AEDST
Setting Council targets or actions which align with the GBF, Australian and state action plans/frameworks can be confusing and overwhelming. This session will explore the common threads in these documents, and introduce a shortlist of fundamental targets/objectives which all Australian Councils can consider including in their strategic plans. If you are an ICLEI Member, GCoM Signatory or part of the CitiesWithNature Community of Practice and haven't received your invitation to this event, please email us.
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ICLEI Oceania has a new office number To speak with any members of the team, please reach out on our new office line +61 481 815 492
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