Two capital city Lord Mayors are advocating for the important role Australia’s capital cities can have in addressing the global climate crisis.
Appearing alongside former Vancouver Mayor and sustainability advocate Gregor Robertson, the Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney, Clover Moore, and the Lord Mayor of Hobart, Anna Reynolds, addressed a panel discussion in Sydney to discuss the role Councils have in tackling climate change.
Roughly 75 per cent of emissions are generated by cities, highlighting the important role capital city Councils can play in addressing climate change and advocating for policies, funding and tools to help usher in new economy jobs.
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, recently announced 58 projects under the Australian Government’s Community Energy Upgrades Fund, including projects in Brisbane, Melbourne and Darwin, which are helping those Councils to decarbonise and improve energy efficiency. Applications for Round Two of the $100 million grants fund are currently open.
Council of Capital City Lord Mayors Chair and Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney, Clover Moore, said action at a city level is critical.
“We continue to lead many other governments with ambitious targets and policies, advocacy, and international partnerships.”
“The City of Sydney became the first carbon neutral government in Australia in 2007 and since July 2020, all of the City’s operations are powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity. We made the commitment in 2008 to reduce our emissions by 70 per cent by 2030. We did the masterplans, set the targets, took the action needed to reach that goal by 2021, nine years early. We have now committed to net zero emissions city-wide by 2035.
“We are doing our part, but for too long we have been let down by higher levels of government. Councils across Australia look to the federal and state governments for the funding and programs to help them to decarbonise and support their communities transition to a green economy.”
City of Hobart Lord Mayor, Anna Reynolds, said climate change is the world’s biggest challenge right now, but Australia has an opportunity to be a leader in ushering in the next generation of jobs and opportunities as part of its national response.
“With more and more residential solar and electric vehicles, federal and state investments aren’t just important responses to climate change – they’re saving energy and fuel bills and helping to tackle the cost of living.
“When it comes to Councils, the more funding from the Federal Government that goes to our own facilities, whether it’s on projects like solar on libraries or swimming pools, that all helps.
“I’ll certainly be challenging our federal leaders and candidates to do more in the lead-up to the federal election. But also, we need to support our communities as we transition to a green economy.”
