2021 Australian Local Government Climate Review

Ironbark Sustainability and ICLEI Oceania are proud to launch the 2021 Australian Local Government Climate Review at the Local Governments Demonstrating Leadership session of the Better Futures Australia forum. It provides a solid evidence-base and a comprehensive analysis of climate change actions, barriers and opportunities facing councils and communities.

The Review is based on a wide-ranging survey to better understand local climate change targets, actions, strategies and policies. The survey was developed with input from Ironbark Sustainability, ICLEI Oceania , Beyond Zero Emissions, Cities Power Partnerships (CPP), Climate Emergency Australia, Climateworks and a number of local government associations and councils, and resulted in 272 responses, including 94 council representatives, 145 individual and 33 community group respondents.

The previous version of the review, released in 2018, was the result of the most comprehensive local government and climate change survey in Australian history. It was used to inform policies, state parliamentary inquiries and aid decision makers throughout Australia as well as leading to the development of new tools like the Snapshot Climate tool. The 2021 version is bigger and better.

One thing that stands out sharply is that 83% of respondents reported that climate change has already impacted upon their local community or council operations, while only 10% felt that the council or the community was well-prepared to respond to these impacts. This is a serious discrepancy and highlights the lack of preparedness to respond to climate impacts.

The 2021 Review demonstrates the local understanding of the scale of the response required, the level of ambition throughout the country and the scope of climate action already undertaken by Australian councils and communities. Notably:

·       73% of responding councils have set or are planning ambitious corporate or operational emissions reduction targets.

·       80% of responding councils have set or are investigating developing community-wide emissions reductions targets.

·       Almost a third of councils reported having a fossil fuel divestment commitment or intended to implement a commitment shortly.

·       93% of the community respondents are collaborating with their local council.

If all of the targets set by Australian local governments were met, then an incredible 88,200 kt CO2e emissions would be reduced. These commitments would bring Australia 96% of the way to meet its current target of 28% reduction by 2030. (See link to the ICLEI & GCoM State of Play report).

With the launch of the Australian Local Government Climate Review 2021 everyone can now delve into the details of where the sector is placed when it comes to climate change. The Review has everything you need to know - what councils and communities are doing, case studies, targets, barriers, opportunities and recommendations.