|
|
 |
7.00am - 8.45am, Thursday 31 July
Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre
ICLEI Oceania is holding a Breakfast Recognition event during the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) Local Government Convention.
The Western Australian Minister for Water Resources, the Hon. John Kobelke, will deliver the keynote address.
For more information or to register for this event, please contact the ICLEI Oceania Events Officer.
 - The Jakarta skyline
ICLEI Oceania has recently commenced the Building Resilient Indonesian Cities Project and is working with Indonesian cities and partners to build the resilience of cities to a changing, challenging natural environment.
This exciting development draws on the strengths and experiences of the successful Cities for Climate Protection Adaptation Initiative, which assists Australian councils to plan and prepare for the projected impacts of climate change.
Funded for 2008 by the Rockefeller Foundation, the project is part of the Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network.
The Network aims to catalyse attention, funding and action on building climate change resilience for poor and vulnerable people by creating robust models and methodologies for assessing and addressing risk, through active engagement and analysis of various cities in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and India.
Leading Indonesian research institute, Yayasan Pelangi Indonesia, warns that climate change will affect millions of Indonesians, if not by displacing them directly, then by eliminating the industrial or agricultural zones or fisheries upon which their livelihoods and welfare depend. Flood control problems and strain on sewerage systems will lead to more waterborne diseases and disruption of commercial and transport networks.
 - ICLEI Oceania Building Resilient Indonesian Cities project team, partners, Indonesian advisory group and the Rockefeller Foundation, Jakarta, May 2008
 - Martin and Pak Sarimun, APEKSI (Association of Indonesian Municipalities), Jakarta, May 2008
During phase one, the project will work with five Indonesian cities to identify risks and opportunities associated with climate change. In early July, the project team will begin visiting cities to meet with city leaders and key groups to assess and analyse the risks and opportunities associated with climate change.
In a potential phase two, one or two cities will be chosen for more detailed research and consultation to identify opportunities and scope climate change projects.
For more information please contact Steve Gawler, Project Director, Building Resilient Indonesian Cities, Ph: +61 (0)3 9660 2214.
Local governments lead by example
ICLEI Oceania's submission to the Garnaut Climate Change Review highlights the role of the local government sector in reducing both corporate and community greenhouse gas emissions over past decade.
Since 1997, Australian cities, towns and shires have abated 13.3 million tonnes of greenhouse gas, invested $164 million in actions and saved $70 million through their participation in ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Australia program.
In 2006/07, 178 Australian councils reported that energy efficiency measures saved them at least $7 million and their communities close to $11 million through reduced energy costs.
In the same reporting year, Australian councils invested $17 million to the delivery of the CCP program including allocation of dedicated resources for the creation and implementation of council strategies, policies and action plans relating to greenhouse gas reduction within council and the broader community.
Local government abatement action: Complimentary measure to an emissions trading scheme
A national emissions trading scheme is effectively the centrepiece of the Australian Government’s arsenal to limit greenhouse emissions and the impacts of climate change. Market based mechanisms are one way of driving emission reductions across a number of sectors, but they can also lead to sub-optimal outcomes in terms of equity and the efficient allocation of resources.
ICLEI Oceania's submission to the Garnaut Climate Change Review explores how local government abatement action, as a complimentary measure to a national emissions trading scheme, can assist in addressing market failure.
Visit the Garnaut Climate Change Review website for a copy of ICLEI Oceania's submission or contact ICLEI Oceania for more information, Ph: +61 (0)3 9639 8688.
 - Carpet day at ICLEI Oceania
Dealing with existing building stock, which accounts for most of the building sector’s environmental impact, is a real challenge.
Find out how ICLEI Oceania's new partnership with commercial flooring experts InterfaceFLOR is helping to make our office greener in our Sponsor Feature.
ICLEI is pleased to present Release Version 1.0 of the International Local Government Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Analysis Protocol.
This International Protocol consists of the general principles and philosophy that any local government, regardless of location, should adhere to when inventorying GHGs from its internal operations and community as a whole.
Since November 2007 key peer organisations around the world have reviewed the International Protocol, as well as ICLEI member cities and stakeholders.
The Release Version will be active from May to August 2008, during which it may be updated in response to further comments.
ICLEI will then recommend using the final version as a basis for GHG emissions analysis.
See the ICLEI Global website to download Release Version 1.0 of the International Local Government Greenhouse Gas Emissions Analysis Protocol, and for instructions on how to make comments on the Release Version.
ICLEI is delighted to announce that Edmonton, Canada, has been selected to host the 2009 World Congress, to be held from 14–18 June 2009. Representatives from ICLEI member councils are invited to join ICLEI staff from across the world at this exciting event.
The ICLEI World Congress takes place every three years and provides mayors, local government elected officials and staff, representatives from international agencies, national governments, donors and other partners, with the opportunity for peer exchanges, knowledge-sharing, capacity building and on-site visits and exhibits.
ICLEI Oceania will also be inviting Expressions of Interest to attend a USA/Canada Study Tour, to link in with the Congress next June.
The ICLEI Oceania “Local Action Goes Global – USA/Canada Study Tour” will be an opportunity to visit North American councils driving sustainable development.
Further details about the study tour and a formal call for Expressions of Interest will be circulated soon. For more information please contact Maria Simonelli, Ph: +61 3 9639 8688.
There are currently 132 ICLEI members in the Oceania region.
We welcome our newest member council, Moreton Bay Regional Council, Queensland.
For a full list of members within Oceania, visit the ICLEI Oceania membership webpage.
ICLEI's growing membership is comprised of over 875 cities, towns, counties and their associations, in 68 countries worldwide.
ICLEI members are part of an international network of local government representatives tackling similar challenges for sustainability.
As a member of this international organisation, your council can take advantage of individual workplans, significant discounts on other programs and support services and access to a diverse series of publications, tools, workshops and online materials.
View a selection of initiatives being implemented by members around the world on the ICLEI International website and see the councils featured in 'ICLEI Member News'.
To become an ICLEI member please contact Bree Nicoll, ICLEI Oceania Finance Officer, Ph: +61 (0) 3 9660 2230.
 - Photograph: Paco CT
Coburg, a suburb north of the Melbourne CBD, has been announced as the newest Solar City, with a special focus on helping low-income households become more sustainable.
Environment Minister Peter Garrett recently announced $4.9 million in Australian Government funding for the Coburg Solar City, the sixth in the Solar Cities program.
"I am particularly pleased that a key feature of the Coburg Solar City will be the development of an 'Energy Hub', a community enterprise providing energy retrofit services for low-income and public housing tenants," Mr Garrett said.
"Led by the Moreland Energy Foundation Ltd in partnership with the Moreland City Council, the Victorian Government and the Brotherhood of St Laurence, the Coburg Solar City project will ensure that assistance gets to those who need it most in finding sustainable energy solutions. We expect around 1000 low-income households to benefit from energy efficiency audits and retrofitting," Mr Garrett said.
Coburg joins Adelaide, Townsville, Blacktown, Alice Springs and Central Victoria as part of the $94 million Solar Cities initiative.
See the Solar Cities program website for more information.
Caring for Our Country provides $2.25 billion in funding over five years from 1 July 2008 to June 2013.
This new umbrella initiative will integrate a number of existing natural resource management measures into a consolidated program, including the Natural Heritage Trust, the National Landcare Program, the Environmental Stewardship Program, and elements of the Working on Country program.
For more information see the Caring for Our Country website.
The June edition of the 'Local Government and ABS' newsletter is now available from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
This free newsletter aims to help councils use statistics to assist with planning and other community servicing decisions.
|
