The leading international association of local government organisations committed to sustainable development has endorsed the City of Joondalup’s strategy to combat climate change.
The City’s Climate Change Strategy 2014–2019 will be showcased at the 21st Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC).
COP21 is being held in Paris from 30 November to 11 December, bringing world leaders together to address issues associated with global warming.
The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives known as ‘ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability’ Secretary General Gino Van Begin said the eyes of the world will be on Joondalup.
“With a spotlight shining on the City of Joondalup’s Climate Change Strategy 2014–2019 at COP21, it proves Joondalup is a global leader in environment management, working closely with its local community to protect and enhance its natural areas.”
Mr Van Begin said COP21 is an important opportunity for local and sub-national governments to demonstrate and communicate their development goals.
Joondalup Mayor Troy Pickard will attend COP21 and said it is an honour for the City’s Climate Change Strategy to be showcased to an audience of world leaders.
“Members of our local community who took part in the formation of our Strategic Community Plan Joondalup 2022 made it clear they wanted the City to build on its achievement of being named World’s Most Liveable City in 2011 at the UN-endorsed International Awards for Liveable Communities.
“The Climate Change Strategy sets the direction for corporate and community climate change management activities over the next five years.”
The City was one of the first local governments in Australia to adopt a strategy that combines adaptation and mitigation initiatives to improve resilience.
Mitigation aims to continue reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to minimise the severity of climate change.
Adaptation aims to implement strategies to ensure the City is prepared and able to adapt to current and future impacts of climate change.
The community is also encouraged to prepare and adapt for climate change and this is supported by the implementation of a minimum of five corporate and two community adaptation projects per year.
Mayor Pickard says planning for the future impacts of climate change is an important emerging issue for local government.
“Climate change affects a number of areas that local government is responsible for managing including infrastructure, health services, water management, emergency management and the natural environment.
“Continuing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate the effects of climate change is also an essential part of local government’s role in managing the environment.
“By 2070, it is anticipated the City of Joondalup will have hotter, drier and windier summers with the number of days over 35°C nearly doubling. Winters will be drier, warmer and less windy as a result of fewer low pressure systems.
“Expected climate change impacts could include coastal erosion, reduced water availability, increased flood and bushfire risk, threats to habitats of flora and fauna, damage to infrastructure and health impacts, particularly for the more vulnerable members of our community.”
Mayor Pickard said COP 21 would provide Joondalup with the opportunity to hear and learn from a range of other countries about innovative initiatives to combat the effects of climate change.
“By working together with all spheres of government and the community, we can help plan, adapt and act for a future that is sustainable and resilient to the future impacts of climate change.”
