The 2024 Australian Local Government Climate Review, released today ahead of this week’s Better Futures Forum, has showcased how Australian councils are embracing their commitment to emissions reduction targets.
The report notes that “In 2007, while many State and Federal governments were trying to wrap their heads around how to tackle the climate challenge and reduce emissions, 240 Australian councils, representing 84% of Australia’s population, were already taking action.”
Today, 89% of 110 surveyed councils hold themselves accountable to net zero emission targets “generally no later than 2030” the report states.
By contrast, the Federal Government’s target currently commits Australia to reducing emissions to 43% below 2005 levels by 2030.
“As the world stands at a pivotal moment in mitigating climate change, Australia can learn valuable lessons from the transformational actions happening locally,” says Lisa Cliff, Director of the Better Futures Australia program.
“The 2024 Australian Local Government Climate Review provides a snapshot of what councils are doing across every state and territory – adopting serious climate policy and empowering local communities to participate in socially inclusive and economically responsible solutions that pave the way for a cleaner, safer Australia.
“Now, it’s time for the Australian government to catch up and align its policies with measures already adopted at a local level.”
The report, first launched in 2018 and now in its third iteration, is produced by Ironbark Sustainability in collaboration with Better Futures Australia and ICLEI Oceania.
Author, Imogen Jubb, Climate Program Manager at Ironbark Sustainability, said its findings outline “the crucial role of local councils in Australia’s net zero plan’, providing evidence-based examples for a multilevel governance approach to climate action, ensuring that national strategies are adequately supported by policies, resources, and collaborative efforts.
“Despite Australia’s position as one of the largest exporters of fossil fuels and per-capita emitters of greenhouse gases, councils work hard to drive effective emissions reduction and prepare communities for climate impacts,” Ms Jubb says.
“Local governments are the unsung heroes, quietly spearheading climate action for decades… all without adequate resourcing.”
According to the report, around 30% of councils have “no budget at all” to reduce corporate emissions, while the remainder (outside capital cities) access median budgets ‘well under $100,000’. Separately, two thirds of councils have no allocated budget to reduce community-wide emissions.
Ms Jubb said partnering with councils presents one of the most efficient ways for State and Federal Governments to implement successful climate programs and achieve positive outcomes.
The 2024 Australian Local Government Climate Review casts a spotlight on ways councils are driving tangible climate solutions that align with the Australian government’s sectoral emissions pathways. These pathways aim to steer the nation towards a net zero economy by 2050 across six key sectors: electricity and energy; transport; industry and waste; agriculture and land; resources; and the built environment.
Ms Jubb says the report presents real world examples of how local governments are best placed to implement activities in these sectors, with State and Federal Government support. Partnering with local governments will also enable sector plans that are socially inclusive and equitable, and benefits are shared by all while shielding the vulnerable from disproportionate costs, she says.
It also highlights several modelled intervention programs that local government could implement for a 5-7% reduction in emissions across the community, including:
- Solar PV adoption in lagging sectors.
- Facilitating community access to power purchase agreements (PPAs).
- Increasing EV and active transport infrastructure.
It details how council engagement with key stakeholders – encouraging them to adopt and pursue ambitious targets – can further reduce emissions by 6-10% across the community. Together, these intervention and community engagement programs suggest councils can support community-wide emissions reduction pathways upwards of 15% by 2035 above ‘business-as-usual’ projections.
The 2024 Australian Local Government Climate Review will be officially launched by Hobart Lord Mayor, Anna Reynolds, during a Climate Leaders Dinner at the National Arboretum (10 September), attended by Federal Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, Kristy McBain.
The Better Futures Forum is being held across two days (September 10-11) at Canberra’s National Film and Sound Archive.
- Day 1: Exploration of how Australian communities, local industries, and subnational governments are spearheading the transition towards a renewable-powered, prosperous, and resilient future.
- Day 2: Exploration of global opportunities, highlighting Australia’s potential for leadership in the clean energy transition and other climate initiatives, emphasising the bid to co-host COP31 with a Pacific Island nation.
