Developing Hume's next Climate Action Plan

Consultation has concluded

Background

Council is developing a new Climate Action Plan.

Climate change is a serious and significant threat that needs urgent action from all levels of government, business, industry, organizations, households and individuals. Australia is particularly vulnerable to climate impacts and we are already experiencing more frequent and severe droughts, heat waves, bush fires, storms and floods. Other climate change impacts include the spread of diseases into new areas, economic impacts and climate refugees. The Great Barrier Reef and other natural environments, animals and plants including food growing are also impacted.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has indicated that an unprecedented transformation  is required in all aspects of society to combat climate change. Council's current Greenhouse Action Plan finishes this year and development of the next Climate Action Plan is underway.

Climate action is required under three broad headings that are relevant both for Council's own operations and supporting the Hume community which includes business and industry to take climate action:

  • Reducing emissions 
  • Adapting to climate impacts
  • Advocating for more action.

Reducing Emissions now is critical to avoid the worst impacts of climate change in the coming decades, Broad ways to reduce emissions include switching away from fossil fuels to renewable energy, using energy as efficiently as possible: building all electric 'net zero' new buildings; choosing sustainable transport options and switching to electric vehicles; growing food more sustainably, minimizing waste and keeping food waste out of landfill; moving to a circular economy, revegetation and tree planting. Most of these actions have other benefits - like reducing air pollution, reducing waste, increasing health and well-being and improving our neighborhoods.

Adapting to Climate Impacts Australia is already significantly impacted by climate change and this is set to get worse even if massive emission reduction are achieved quickly. Adapting to climate change means planning for, being prepared and changing the ways we do things to cope with hotter drier conditions, more extreme weather events and other climate impacts. Broad ways to adapt include greening our streets and neighborhoods to reduce urban heat; making better use of all of our water resources including recycled water and storm water; regenerative agriculture; ensuring new buildings have stronger fire and extreme weather protection. At the community level being connected and involved with neighbours and local service providers can help build community and individual resilience.

Advocating for More Action Despite the advice and warnings from scientist across the world, the global climate response has been too slow, putting future generations and other species at risk.

In addition to taking direct action, individuals, organisations and governments need to bring others along on the journey and advocate for the level of climate action required for a safe future. Options to advocate for more action include making submissions to government consultation processes; influencing businesses as a share-holder, customer or activist; joining a climate action group or movement or starting a new one; speaking to your Councillors and/or Members of Parliament about climate change; talking with your families or community networks about taking climate action.

In early 2021 a survey to assess Hume community views on climate change was undertaken with more than 1300 responses. The Hume community shows high level of concern about climate change and a high proportion of respondents would like Council to take action on climate change. This level of concern is very similar to the broader Victorian and Australian. Click here to view Hume's Climate Report

How to participate

Council would like to hear your feedback/ suggestions on climate change matters. You have until Friday 30 September to share with us.

Council is keen to hear all your ideas about how we can work together to address climate change. We have asked about specific groups below for the following reasons:

  • Business – most of Hume City’s greenhouse emissions come from business and industry. How can business and industry successfully transition to a low carbon future?
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders – First Nations’ people have wisdom and knowledge to share about sustainable, low carbon living.
  • Young People – inherit the future challenges that current and previous generations have created.
  • Hume’s rural community – are already experiencing the impacts of climate change.
Share your suggestions on our idea's boards by scrolling below.
Email your suggestions and feedback
Phone the Hume Climate Action Integration to share your views on 9205 2200. We will happily arrange for conversations in languages other than English.



Background

Council is developing a new Climate Action Plan.

Climate change is a serious and significant threat that needs urgent action from all levels of government, business, industry, organizations, households and individuals. Australia is particularly vulnerable to climate impacts and we are already experiencing more frequent and severe droughts, heat waves, bush fires, storms and floods. Other climate change impacts include the spread of diseases into new areas, economic impacts and climate refugees. The Great Barrier Reef and other natural environments, animals and plants including food growing are also impacted.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has indicated that an unprecedented transformation  is required in all aspects of society to combat climate change. Council's current Greenhouse Action Plan finishes this year and development of the next Climate Action Plan is underway.

Climate action is required under three broad headings that are relevant both for Council's own operations and supporting the Hume community which includes business and industry to take climate action:

  • Reducing emissions 
  • Adapting to climate impacts
  • Advocating for more action.

Reducing Emissions now is critical to avoid the worst impacts of climate change in the coming decades, Broad ways to reduce emissions include switching away from fossil fuels to renewable energy, using energy as efficiently as possible: building all electric 'net zero' new buildings; choosing sustainable transport options and switching to electric vehicles; growing food more sustainably, minimizing waste and keeping food waste out of landfill; moving to a circular economy, revegetation and tree planting. Most of these actions have other benefits - like reducing air pollution, reducing waste, increasing health and well-being and improving our neighborhoods.

Adapting to Climate Impacts Australia is already significantly impacted by climate change and this is set to get worse even if massive emission reduction are achieved quickly. Adapting to climate change means planning for, being prepared and changing the ways we do things to cope with hotter drier conditions, more extreme weather events and other climate impacts. Broad ways to adapt include greening our streets and neighborhoods to reduce urban heat; making better use of all of our water resources including recycled water and storm water; regenerative agriculture; ensuring new buildings have stronger fire and extreme weather protection. At the community level being connected and involved with neighbours and local service providers can help build community and individual resilience.

Advocating for More Action Despite the advice and warnings from scientist across the world, the global climate response has been too slow, putting future generations and other species at risk.

In addition to taking direct action, individuals, organisations and governments need to bring others along on the journey and advocate for the level of climate action required for a safe future. Options to advocate for more action include making submissions to government consultation processes; influencing businesses as a share-holder, customer or activist; joining a climate action group or movement or starting a new one; speaking to your Councillors and/or Members of Parliament about climate change; talking with your families or community networks about taking climate action.

In early 2021 a survey to assess Hume community views on climate change was undertaken with more than 1300 responses. The Hume community shows high level of concern about climate change and a high proportion of respondents would like Council to take action on climate change. This level of concern is very similar to the broader Victorian and Australian. Click here to view Hume's Climate Report

How to participate

Council would like to hear your feedback/ suggestions on climate change matters. You have until Friday 30 September to share with us.

Council is keen to hear all your ideas about how we can work together to address climate change. We have asked about specific groups below for the following reasons:

  • Business – most of Hume City’s greenhouse emissions come from business and industry. How can business and industry successfully transition to a low carbon future?
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders – First Nations’ people have wisdom and knowledge to share about sustainable, low carbon living.
  • Young People – inherit the future challenges that current and previous generations have created.
  • Hume’s rural community – are already experiencing the impacts of climate change.
Share your suggestions on our idea's boards by scrolling below.
Email your suggestions and feedback
Phone the Hume Climate Action Integration to share your views on 9205 2200. We will happily arrange for conversations in languages other than English.