Climate Change Plan 2022-2032

Climate change presents an unprecedented challenge, both globally and locally. The frequency and severity of extreme weather events such as bushfires, floods, storms, heatwaves and droughts are on the rise. As greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from human activities such as burning fossil fuels for electricity generation, transport, and manufacturing are the dominant cause of climate change, urgent action to reduce GHG emissions is required to stabilise the changing climate.

Council and community must work together to reduce overall GHG emissions, create a climate resilient future and help limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius as outlined in the 2015 Paris Agreement and strengthened in the 2021 Glasgow Climate Pact.

Developed with input from institutional stakeholders and the community, this plan is one of the six long-term plans that underpin the Sustainable Environment Strategy 2022-2032. 

The plan's overarching vision is that by 2036, the City of Whittlesea is a net zero emissions municipality, and our communities, businesses, and environments are resilient to the changing climate. Our transition to net zero and climate resilience is collaborative, inclusive, and equitable. 

This vision is underpinned by two pillars:

• Net zero: Council is a net zero emissions organisation and supports the community to transition to net zero emissions by 2036.
• Climate resilience: Our communities, businesses and environment are resilient to the changing climate.

The plan also outlines seven priority areas for action:

• Renewable energy and energy efficiency
• Sustainable and active transport
• Sustainable farming practice and carbon sequestration
• Low waste and circular economy
• Climate resilient communities and businesses
• Climate resilient built environment and infrastructure
• Climate resilient natural environment and biodiversity