A Climate Emergency in Knox

What could a Climate and Ecological Emergency Declaration look like in Knox?

A Declaration of a Climate and Ecological Emergency, would mean that Knox City Council would have to :

1. Implement an Emergency Response Plan with meaningful and significant action. and,

2. Monitor, review and adapt.

This could look like:

● More tree planting and stricter laws on the removal of trees - this would help mitigate the heat island effect.

● The strengthening of planning rules - to enforce sustainable development options.

● Increased community education - teaching residents about sustainable options for their home and businesses. The funding of a Community Sustainability Education Officer and full time Environment Education officer.

● Transition to zero emissions – The conversion of all Council and asserts to more sustainable options.

● Reduced waste and increased recycling – education of community, schools and businesses in how to reduce their waste and how to properly recycle.

● Increased Public and sustainable Transport options - more electric car charging stations, more bike paths and push the state government for a train line to Rowville.

It could also include:

● Start or continue to set ambitious targets to reduce corporate emissions

● Measure corporate and community emissions (using the GPC standard) to establish reliable inventories

● Set community targets in collaboration with local community groups

● Sign up to local, national and international action campaigns like Zero Carbon Communities, Cities Power

Partnership and The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy

● Work within ten year time-frames to increase accountability

● Include goals and actions in corporate and annual plans with respect to reducing corporate and community

emissions, renewable energy, adaptation and monitoring and evaluation

● Map activities to demonstrate how they will limit warming to 2°C or lower

● Provide regular opportunities for community to participate in the development of climate actions, strategies and

budgets

● Improve monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the effectiveness of actions and to better track progress

● Collaborate with regional alliances to leverage opportunities, efficiencies and economies of scale

● Replicate the Victorian Regional Greenhouse Alliances model

● Consider the range of procurement and investment options available

● Work with the state government on initiatives to contribute to ambitious emissions or renewable energy targets.