2021-03-09 P&E Agenda - Item 8 - Attachment 1 - Climate Change Response Plan

Theme 1: Strong leadership and governance

Why this is important
Responding to the climate emergency is a collective effort across all sectors of the community.
Council has a unique role to lead by example for the community, other councils and levels of
government. By showing powerful leadership and governance, Council can inspire and support
others to integrate climate emergency responses into their daily activities and longer-term plans.
This means moving from community engagement and education to mobilisation of the broader
community, as well as stronger, political and strategic advocacy.

Council has engaged the community through education campaigns around solar power and energy
efficiency and working with community groups such as Zero Emissions Noosa Inc (ZEN Inc). This is
important and ongoing work. However, Council is broadening its reach and influence to drive
collective action, not just individual action.

How we’ll achieve this
Through this Climate Change Response Plan, Council will assess local climate risks, help coordinate
responses for the Council and local community, and monitor change and progress over time.
Embedding consideration of climate change across Council policy, decisions and operations is an
ongoing priority.

Council will continue to advocate for climate action and strengthen partnership opportunities. This
includes advocacy with other local governments through Climate Emergency Australia to provide a
collective voice for strong action on climate change. An advocacy and community mobilisation plan
will be prepared to establish positions on a range of state and federal issues and to help support
local community groups to develop their own climate advocacy programs for promoting positive
climate action across the different sectors of the Sunshine Coast.

A climate change community reference forum will be established to guide and provide advice on the
implementation of the Climate Change Response Plan. As part of this, Council will continue to
collaborate with local community groups and business associations through the existing Zero
Emissions Noosa Memorandum of Understanding.

Strengthening regional partnerships and collaborating across neighbouring councils to identify and
respond to common climate risks and to build a low carbon economy will also bring important
regional benefits.

Strategic Priorities
The following strategic priorities are identified for Strong Leadership and Governance:

1.1 Advocate to levels of government and mobilise the community to drive decisive climate
    emergency action.
1.2 Strengthen partnerships with governments and stakeholders to take action to achieve a low
    carbon economy and resilient community
1.3 Move council from business-as-usual operations to adopting deep, systemic change and being
    a powerful influencer and example of climate action.

Specific actions for implementation through this Climate Change Response Plan are identified in the
Summary of Actions.



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Noosa Climate Change Response Plan - draft for council endorsement March 2021