8 million+ Aussies now represented by councils taking action on climate change

01.02.18 By
This article is more than 6 years old

SEVENTY LOCAL COUNCILS across Australia, representing over 7.5 million people, have vowed to take action to tackle climate change in their own backyards.

The Climate Council’s Cities Power Partnership, Australia’s fastest-growing national climate program for local government, today welcomed 35 new councils to the fight against climate change.

New additions to the Cities Power Partnership include sustainability powerhouses Sydney, Brisbane and Darwin, as well as metropolitan, regional and rural local governments from across the country.



Over 8 Million Australians are now represented by 70 councils who have committed to tackle climate change.


 

Climate Councillor and international climate scientist Professor Will Steffen congratulated the councils pledging to tackle climate change in their own backyards, highlighting the enormous opportunity local governments have to be part of Australia’s climate solution.

“We’re excited to see a record number of councils jumping on board with the Cities Power Partnership,” he said.

“As the tier of government that’s closest to the community, local councils have the power to genuinely transform the way we generate and use energy.”

“It’s clear that Australians support climate action from their council. We’re calling on all local governments to join the groundswell of climate action spreading across the country.”



Mayor of Lismore, Cr Isaac Smith and The Hon. Ben Franklin, Parliamentary Secretary for Renewable Energy and Northern NSW, “plug in” the Lismore floating solar farm


The councils joined the climate fight at the launch of Australia’s largest floating solar farm, a groundbreaking project backed by Cities Power Partnership member Lismore Council and Lismore Community Solar.

Lismore City Mayor Cr Isaac Smith said that the Cities Power Partnership plays a crucial role in connecting the work that councils are doing on climate change.

“Our community is passionate about sustainability, driving the development of our new floating solar farm which we hope will inspire other councils to find local climate solutions,” he said.

“The Cities Power Partnership has connected us with councils across the country tackling climate change, and is helping to motivate those just getting started on their climate journey.”

“Councils have the power to make a huge difference to the way the community uses energy, and its time for us to use that power to transform Australia’s energy landscape.”


Nominate your council to join the Cities Power partnership here!