A new report highlighting the proactive initiatives local councils are taking to reduce climate change impacts within the Great Barrier Reef region has been released, with Rockhampton Regional Council’s strategies included in the report.
The Reef Guardian Councils Climate change initiatives snapshot showcases council-led actions to tackle climate change, such as developing policies and strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, changing street lighting to LED, installing bike paths to encourage active transport and using landfill gas for energy production.
Many of these climate change initiatives deliver a triple bottom line benefit to communities – social, environmental and financial.
Queensland Water and Environmental Sustainability Councillor, Donna Kirkland, said Rockhampton Regional Council has been an active Reef Guardian Council – delivering sustainability initiatives, installing solar at council sites, minimising waste, urban greening and establishing landfill gas flaring at the Lakes Creek Road Waste Management Facility.
“The recent launch of our Sustainability Strategy (Towards 2030) is the perfect example of our commitment to the Reef Guardian Councils program,” Cr Kirkland said.
“We’re invested in further strengthening our community, environmental and economic resilience and will continue to deliver sustainability initiatives including waste diversion, water infrastructure, renewable energy, biodiversity protection, and active transport.”
Rockhampton Regional Council is one of 19 councils in the Reef Guardian Councils program – a collaborative stewardship arrangement between local governments in the Great Barrier Reef catchment and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority CEO, Josh Thomas, said climate change is the greatest threat to the Great Barrier Reef and coral reefs worldwide.
“The Reef Authority’s climate change position statement emphasises that only the strongest and fastest possible actions to decrease global greenhouse gas emissions will reduce the risks and limit the impacts of climate change on the Reef,” Mr Thomas said.
“Climate change is a global issue, requiring a global response, however, local and regional approaches are central to protecting and managing the Great Barrier Reef, and we applaud the efforts our Reef Guardian Council partners are taking to accelerate actions to decrease emissions.”
The Reef Guardian Councils Climate Change Snapshot can be viewed online here.
Featured image: Queensland Water and Environmental Sustainability Councillor, Donna Kirkland, with the 2022 Reef Guardian Councils Climate change initiatives snapshot. Image: Rockhampton Regional Council.
