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SUBJECT: NSW Mayors’ Agreement and Draft Pittwater Policy on Climate Change Meeting: Land, Water & Coastal Portfolio Committee Date: 5 March 2008 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PURPOSE OF REPORT To inform the Committee of Council’s endorsement to join the NSW Mayors’ Agreement on Climate Change and to place the draft Pittwater Climate Change Policy on public exhibition. BACKGROUND On 18 February 2008, Council adopted the NSW Mayors’ Agreement on Climate Change and that the draft Pittwater Climate Change Policy be placed on public exhibition. The full text of the Agenda Item C9.4 is attached – Attachment A. ISSUES The NSW Mayors’ Agreement on Climate Change Pittwater Climate Change Policy Pittwater Climate Plan of Action FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS Adequate budgetary allowances to develop and implement the Climate Plan of Action, that will support the Climate Change Policy, should be allocated in the course of framing Council’s 20092014 Management Plan. The Australian Government, through the Australian Greenhouse Office, makes available grant funding to develop climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. POLICY IMPLICATIONS Once adopted, the Pittwater Climate Change Policy will complement and support Council’s Sustainability Policy – No 164 in designing and planning for a more sustainable Pittwater LGA. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATION 1. That Council’s resolution on the NSW Mayors’ Agreement and Draft Policy on Climate Change of the Council meeting of 18 February 2008 be noted. 2. That all members of the various Council Portfolio Committees be invited to comment upon the draft Climate Change Policy and participate in the Climate Action Community Workshop to help develop a Pittwater Climate Plan of Action. Report prepared by Mia Dalby-Ball MANAGER, NATURAL RESOURCES Report to Land, Water & Coastal Portfolio Committee for meeting to be held on 5 March 2008 Page 1 ATTACHMENT A SUBJECT: NSW Mayors’ Agreement and Draft Pittwater Policy on Climate Change Meeting: Council Date: 18 February 2008 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PURPOSE OF REPORT To seek Council’s endorsement to join the NSW Mayors’ Agreement on Climate Change and to place the draft Pittwater Climate Change Policy on public exhibition. BACKGROUND The Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW have invited NSW Councils to participate in a Mayors’ Agreement on Climate Change as a result of a motion resolved at the 2006 LGA Annual Conference. On 19 November 2007, Council adopted a Notice of Motion which resolved to establish a Climate Change Policy and a Climate Plan of Action in consultation with the Pittwater Community. ISSUES The NSW Mayors’ Agreement on Climate Change Pittwater Climate Change Policy Pittwater Climate Plan of Action Conclusion FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS Adequate budgetary allowances to develop and implement the Climate Plan of Action, that will support the Climate Change Policy, should be allocated in the course of framing Council’s 20092014 Management Plan. The Australian Government, through the Australian Greenhouse Office, makes available grant funding to develop climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. POLICY IMPLICATIONS Once adopted, the Pittwater Climate Change Policy will complement and support Council’s Sustainability Policy – No 164 in designing and planning for a more sustainable Pittwater LGA. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATION 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. That the NSW Mayors’ Agreement on Climate Change be endorsed by Council and the Mayor be delegated to sign the agreement on behalf of Council. That the draft Pittwater Climate Change Policy be placed on public exhibition and comments received for a period of 60 days. That Council continue to plan for and undertake measures to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change through the adoption of appropriate policies, strategies and action plans. That letters be sent to the Federal Government and Federal Opposition asking for commitment to developing and investing funding in programs to meet the target Australia agreed to at Kyoto in 1997 and confirmed again in 2007, through the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. That Council commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the Pittwater LGA by 30% by 2020 based on 1995 emission levels. That the results of the public exhibition of the draft Climate Change Policy and the outcomes of the Climate Action Community Workshops, be reported to Council once completed. Report to Land, Water & Coastal Portfolio Committee for meeting to be held on 5 March 2008 Page 2 1.0 2.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 The Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW have invited NSW Councils to participate in a Mayors’ Agreement on Climate Change as a result of a motion resolved at the 2006 LGA Annual Conference. 1.2 In the USA, 319 Mayors pledged their commitment to reducing greenhouse gases by signing the Mayors’ Climate Change Agreement. Actions under this agreement include lobbying the federal and state governments to enact programs to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol emission targets. The NSW Mayors’ Agreement has been modelled on the US Agreement. 1.3 On 19 November 2007, Council adopted a Notice of Motion which resolved to establish a Climate Change Policy and a Climate Plan of Action in consultation with the Pittwater Community. ISSUES 2.1 NSW Mayors’ Agreement on Climate Change The agreement proposed is as follows: NSW Mayors support the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (Kyoto Protocol) targets and agree to: Strive to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol targets in their operations, activities and communities, through actions ranging from land use policies to urban forest restoration projects to information campaigns. Urge the State and Federal Government to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the greenhouse gas emission reduction, suggested for Australia in the Kyoto Protocol, of 108% of its 1990 baseline. Urge the State and Federal Government and the Federal Opposition to build on the Prime Minister’s commitment to developing and investing funding in programs to meet the target Australia agreed to by formally ratifying the Kyoto Protocol. However, it is now recognised that the Kyoto Protocol target of 108% is not sufficient to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. The Local Government and Shires Associations are further inviting Councils to commit to a local emissions reduction target of a 30% cut in greenhouse gases by 2020. This target is based on the Sir Nicholas Stern report The Economics of Climate Change – The Stern Review (Cambridge, 2007) which states “There is still time to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, if we take strong action now. The scientific evidence is now overwhelming: climate change is a serious global threat, and it demands an urgent global response”. The Stern Review has assessed a wide range of evidence on the impacts of climate change and on economic costs, and has used a number of different techniques to assess costs and risks. From all perspectives, the evidence gathered by the Review lead to a simple conclusion; “The benefits of strong and early action far outweigh the economic costs of not acting”. A copy of the NSW Mayors’ Agreement on Climate change is appended to this report at Attachment A. Report to Land, Water & Coastal Portfolio Committee for meeting to be held on 5 March 2008 Page 3 The NSW Mayors’ Agreement on Climate Change provides an appropriate foundation for Council in partnership with the Pittwater Community to develop, adopt and implement the Pittwater Climate Change Policy and the Pittwater Climate Plan of Action. 2.2 2.3 Pittwater Climate Change Policy A draft Pittwater Climate Change Policy (the Policy) is appended to this report as Attachment B. The Policy has been developed as an over-arching document to espouse the principles by which Council proposes to manage climate change and the extent of Council’s capacity to do so. The draft Policy is recommended to be placed on public exhibition for comment and should also be reviewed during the climate action community workshops as a part of the process to develop the Pittwater Climate Plan of Action. Pittwater Climate Plan of Action The Australian Government views local government bodies as having multiple important roles to play in the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and the adaptation to potential impacts associated with climate change. Local government has been given the authority to provide generally for the good governance of their local government areas with roles that include advocacy, service delivery, planning, community development and regulation. Perhaps the most important role of local government, however, is that of education to encourage awareness within their communities and to promote sustainable development. Through the Climate Plan of Action, Council must simultaneously consider the mitigation and adaptation approaches required for the Pittwater LGA as complementary activities to be implemented with the concurrence of the Pittwater community. Council may also have exposures to liability (directly related to climate change) that could arise from common law negligence due to breaches of Council’s duty of care. These exposures must also be assessed and managed within a risk management framework through the Climate Plan of Action. The Australian Government, through the Australian Greenhouse Office, has prepared a number of guiding documents (including “Climate Change Adaptation Action for Local Government” and “Climate Change Impacts and Risk Management”) to assist local government in the preparation of their climate action plans. These documents, together with the climate change projections modelled by the CSIRO and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology will be used in the preparation of the Pittwater Climate Plan of Action. As the impacts of climate change will arise and continue to be experienced over an extended period of time (decades and even centuries), the Climate Plan of Action itself must be a continuously evolving and adaptable document, that utilises the most up to date scientific information and research. Most importantly, however, climate change and its potential impacts must become a primary consideration in every aspect of Council’s business and for all activities undertaken by the Pittwater community. Report to Land, Water & Coastal Portfolio Committee for meeting to be held on 5 March 2008 Page 4 2.4 Conclusion Climate change will have far reaching effects on Australia’s people, economy, society and environment. Pittwater Council has an opportunity to lead the response at a local level, encouraging and helping local residents, local businesses and other organisations to reduce their energy usage and costs, to adapt to the impacts of climate change and to improve the local environment. 3.0 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS Adequate budgetary allowances to develop and implement the Climate Plan of Action, that will support the Climate Change Policy, should be allocated in the course of framing Council’s 2009-2014 Management Plan. The Australian Government, through the Australian Greenhouse Office, makes available grant funding to develop climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. 4.0 POLICY IMPLICATIONS Once adopted, the Pittwater Climate Change Policy will complement and support Council’s Sustainability Policy – No 164 in designing and planning for a more sustainable Pittwater LGA. RECOMMENDATION 1. That the NSW Mayors’ Agreement on Climate Change be endorsed by Council and the Mayor be delegated to sign the agreement on behalf of Council. 2. That the draft Pittwater Climate Change Policy be placed on public exhibition and comments received for a period of 60 days. 3. That Council continue to plan for and undertake measures to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change through the adoption of appropriate policies, strategies and action plans. 4. That letters be sent to the Federal Government and Federal Opposition asking for commitment to developing and investing funding in programs to meet the target Australia agreed to at Kyoto in 1997 and confirmed again in 2007, through the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. 5. That Council commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the Pittwater LGA by 30% by 2020 based on 1995 emission levels. 6. That the results of the public exhibition of the draft Climate Change Policy and the outcomes of the Climate Action Community Workshops, be reported to Council once completed. Report prepared by Paul Hardie, Senior Executive Officer Chris Hunt DIRECTOR, URBAN & ENVIRONMENTAL ASSETS Report to Land, Water & Coastal Portfolio Committee for meeting to be held on 5 March 2008 Page 5 ATTACHMENT A NSW Mayors’ Agreement on Climate Change We acknowledge that Evidence shows that climate change is occurring. Climate change will continue to have far reaching effects on Australia’s people, economy, society and environment. We welcome the Social, economic and environmental benefits which come from mitigating and adapting to climate change. Opportunity for local government in NSW to lead the response at a local level, encouraging and helping local residents, local businesses and other organisations to reduce their energy usage and costs, to adapt to the impacts of climate change and to improve the local environment. We commit our Council from this date 18 February 2008 to Establish a baseline of Council’s greenhouse gas emissions, based on advice in the LGSA Climate Change Action Pack. Strive to meet or beat the Kyoto protocol targets in our own operations, activities and communities, through a range of activities that lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Urge the State and Federal Government to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the greenhouse gas emissions reduction target, suggested for Australia in the Kyoto Protocol, of 108% of its 1990 baseline. Publicly declare to our Local Government Area, with appropriate plans, strategies and policies, Council’s commitment to achieve a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from our operations and to commit to set reduction targets for the next 5, 10, 20 years and beyond. Encourage all sectors in our local community to adapt to the impacts of climate change, to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and to make public their commitment to action. Monitor the progress of our plans. Resource climate change initiatives. Adopt relevant actions from the LGSA’s Climate Change Action Pack which will provide Council with guidance material to assist in developing climate change policies which are informed, relevant and achievable. Our target is a 30% reduction based on 1995 emission levels by 2020 Pittwater Council acknowledges the increasing impact climate change will have on our community in the mid to long term future and commits to tackling the causes and effects of changing climate in our Local Government Area. Signed – Cr David James Mayor – Pittwater Council Signed - Cr Genia McCaffery President LGA Signed - Cr Bruce Miller President Shires Report to Land, Water & Coastal Portfolio Committee for meeting to be held on 5 March 2008 Page 6 ATTACHMENT B DRAFT Adopted: Council Policy – No Amended: CLIMATE CHANGE Philosophy The survival and well-being of all people are bound inextricably to the biodiversity, climate and finite resources of our planet. Human activities (in particular the burning of fossil fuels, land clearing and agriculture) have produced substantial quantities of greenhouse gases which have significantly enhanced the natural atmospheric greenhouse effect and increased global warming to such an extent that it has altered (and will continue to alter) global climate systems. On the basis of scientific investigations and climate modelling undertaken by the CSIRO and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, before the latter part of this century the Pittwater LGA is likely to: become warmer, on average, with more hot days over 35oC (and with a consequently higher risk of bushfires); experience a decline in average annual rainfall with a corresponding reduction in rainfall runoff and stream flows; suffer the effects of more frequent, extreme storms and intense rainfall events as well as more severe drought cycles; and incur more severe coastal erosion and coastal inundation as a result of more powerful storm surges combined with a rising sea level. Substantial mitigation measures and adaptation responses at global, national and local scales are urgently required if the rate of global warming is to be reduced and the most severe impacts of climate change are to be avoided. Objectives To complement and support Council’s Sustainability Policy – No 164 in designing and planning for a more sustainable Pittwater LGA. To help improve the awareness and understanding of global warming issues so that the community has opportunities to participate in the management process and to determine the responses to climate change that suit it best. To develop the necessary strategies and action plans that will implement the greenhouse gas abatement measures and climate change adaptation responses that the Pittwater community selects. To build the capacity of the Pittwater community to adapt to climate change impacts and challenges that are likely to be faced in the mid to long term future. Report to Land, Water & Coastal Portfolio Committee for meeting to be held on 5 March 2008 Page 7 Policy Statement Pittwater Council accepts the growing body of convincing scientific research making it increasingly clear that our climate is currently being modified by human activities, at a rate unprecedented throughout human history. Council recognises that collectively, the negative impacts of climate change potentially represent the most significant challenge to the future of humanity during the 21st Century and beyond. Council considers that the abatement of greenhouse gas emissions and the management of climate change impacts are a mutual and shared obligation of all nations and all levels of government. Council acknowledges the important role of local government in helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and manage climate change impacts at the local level, particularly through its statutory responsibilities and regulatory powers relating to land use planning, environmental planning, environmental protection and natural resource management. As the level of governance closest to the people, Council also has a vital role to play in educating, mobilising and responding to the public to promote community climate action at the local level. Council encourages further scientific research and a better understanding of climate change and energy issues in order to support and steer policy, to refine adaptation and mitigation strategies and to foster the necessary behavioural changes within our society. Council is committed to building on the greenhouse gas reduction initiatives already undertaken through programs such as Cities for Climate Protection and in partnership with the Pittwater community, developing appropriate adaptation actions for the climate change impacts that will most affect the Pittwater LGA. Council understands the importance of a “Triple Bottom Line” management approach to sustainability and is mindful that greenhouse gas abatement and climate change adaptation can only be successfully sustained in association with continued economic growth, social development and biodiversity protection. Climate change and its potential impacts must feature as a primary consideration in every aspect of Council’s business whilst appropriate actions in response to the causes and effects of global warming must be integrated as a core part of every strategic and operational management activity undertaken by Council. Report to Land, Water & Coastal Portfolio Committee for meeting to be held on 5 March 2008 Page 8