Australian Local Governments Accelerating Action at COP26
Australian Local Government Leaders Urging Greater Action at COP26
More than 130 representatives from local governments recently joined the Australian Local Government Leaders Acceleration Action at COP26 Virtual Forum to urge greater national climate action.
The forum was hosted by ICLEI Oceania: Local Governments for Sustainability, in collaboration with the Australian Local Government Association, the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors and support of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy Oceania, Better Futures Australia, C40, Cities Power Partnership, Climate Emergency Australia, Ironbark Sustainability and UN-Habitat.
During this Forum, the leaders stated:
“Local governments across Australia seek meaningful partnership with the Australian government to deliver on a national net zero target and improve adaptation and resilience for the entire Australian society, industry and economy as soon as possible.” Councillor Amanda Stone of Yarra, Chair of ICLEI Oceania Regional Executive Committee. Councillor Stone will deliver a Communique into the COP26 Glasgow on behalf of ICLEI Oceania.
“Working in partnership with other levels of government, Councils can and are delivering highly effective climate change projects that mitigate against the production of dangerous emissions, greatly assist the community to be better prepared and are better able to adapt to future climatic conditions. Local governments are willing partners, have good ideas and proven successful ways of enacting these changes.” Councillor Linda Scott, President of Australian Local Government Association.
“Stronger action in Australia is not only possible but essential. We need to work together and act fast. We know our communities, particularly young people, will take great confidence if they see all levels of government working together to tackle this crisis.” The Hon. Anna Reynolds, Lord Mayor of Hobart and representative of the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors.
“For indigenous peoples, we want to see the CO2 emissions cut by 75% by 2030 and by 2035 we would like to see 100%. This is a huge challenge for all indigenous peoples. We would like to see a retreat from reliance on coal seam gas, we would like to see no new coal mines, we would love to see all subsidies removed from extractive industries and we would like to see our people get employed around the new priorities.” Pastor Raymond Minniecon, Scarred Tree Ministries and Executive members of the Indigenous Peoples’ Organisation-Australia.
“Through the action of the diversity of stakeholders who are committed not only to survive but thrive in spite of the climate crisis. Our aim was to recruit 1000 cities by COP26 and I am pleased to announce that we now have 1040 officially included as the first intake including 17 leadership of cities and councils who have pledged from Australia.” H.E. Gonzalo Muñoz, COP26 High-Level Champion.
“Glasgow is as equally important as Paris. In Glasgow, a second era is starting. It is time for multilevel action. The principle of multilevel collaboration is now becoming a reality. From the US to the Dominican Republic from Chile to Rwanda. Across the world there are more than 60 nations that have raised their ambition because of collaboration with Local Governments.” Yunus Arikan, Director of Global Advocacy.
Australian local governments are committed to working with the Federal Government to take decisive action on climate change and to keep global warming below the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement. This is evidenced by Australian local government commitments to the Cities Race to Zero, Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, climate emergency declarations, Cities Power Partnership and Better Futures Australia Declaration.
For more information about how Australian local governments are leading action:
Australian Local Governments Climate Review 2021
ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability is a global organisation for local governments, city leaders and partners to accelerate local sustainable development. The ICLEI Oceania team supports Local Governments across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific to take greater action on climate change. ICLEI Oceania is the regional secretariat for the Global Covenant of Mayors where over 10,000 cities and towns globally have committed to real action on climate change. www.icleioceania.org or jessica.robbins@iclei.org.