Catherine Watson of the Bass Coast Post has written an interesting account of the Bass Coast Shire Council plans for climate action following their declaration of the climate emergency last year. She noted: “It has been a little more than 12 months since BC CAN (Bass Coast Climate Action Network) submitted a petition to the Shire Council demanding action on the global climate crisis. The petition gained more than 1,000 signatures and initiated a climate emergency declaration at the Council meeting on August 22, 2019.”
“At that meeting; seven out of the nine Councillors supported a 2030 target of net zero emissions from both Council operations and the community. Last week Council approved a detailed action plan to ensure that the target is achieved. The Community Reference Group that participated in developing the Plan included four BC CAN members: Bhavani Rooks, Isabel Rooks, Michael Nugent and Naomi Coleman.”
It is often forgotten (or not realised) that signing on to the climate emergency is just the beginning of a long and arduous road. Following the declaration of intent there is the need for planning and implementing a program of action. Michael Nugent noted “A year ago we asked Council for leadership in the face of inaction from other levels of government. This Plan delivers that leadership. It’s the roadmap we need to face what the climate has in store for us all.” Michael is a climate candidate in the upcoming local elections.
The plan is looking at net zero shire emissions by 2030. Amongst council actions to achieve this includes energy efficiency, a power purchase agreement for 100% renewable energy, transition of vehicles to low emissions, presumably electric, and to offset “residual emissions through the Biolinks project.”
The plan outlines a wide range of actions and practices for the whole community including Households (switch to all-electric and zero carbon energy) Business and Industry (switch to more sustainable transport) and Farming (advocate for stronger climate change action by state and federal governments) communities. The full report is here.
Thanks to the Bass Coast Council and the committed community activists for their work so far and to Catherine Watson and the Bass Coast Post for keeping us up to date.