KINGSTON Council has released a draft response plan to decide how it will tackle the issue of climate change.
In January 2020, Kingston Council called a “climate emergency” and committed itself to minimising its impact on the environment.
A draft response plan has been released for community consultation. The mayor Steve Staikos said “we want our community to let us know if they agree with our priorities for urgent action or have other ideas about how we can respond to this climate crisis, because it affects all of us. We also want to hear how you want to be involved in achieving our community emissions reduction target of net zero by 2030. Reaching this target requires a whole of community response so it’s important we all work together.
“Limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees is going to be incredibly tough. Council recognises the level of investment required to reduce emission is substantial and that strong leadership is required.”
After calling a climate emergency, council signed a power purchase agreement to use renewable energy for all street lighting and large council buildings by 1 July. Council also says it anticipates that all of its sites will be “powered by green energy under another separate contract from July this year, ensuring that 100 per cent of council’s electricity needs will be provided by renewables.”
To view the draft plan visit yourkingstonyoursay.com.au/ceerp. Initial consultation closes Friday 9 April.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 17 March 2021