Climate Action Plan Draft Released

On 5 July 2021, City of Boroondara released their draft Climate Action Plan to the public for feedback.

The plan, first announced in 2019 and initially planned to be released in 2020, replaces the former ‘Our Low Carbon Future Strategy’ as City of Boroondara’s primary strategic document for council climate policy. The plan is set to last ten years and be refreshed in five years.

Council’s newly released Climate Action Plan acknowledges and onboards local and international advocacy for carbon neutrality. It focuses on reducing emissions not only produced by council buildings and services but also within the community as well as prioritising education, advocacy, and acting on the need to adapt to a changing climate.

In the realm of council’s own internal and commercial activities, City of Boroondara has set a target to be carbon neutral by 2022, with 90% council actual emission reduction by 2030 and 100% reduction by 2040 (compared to the 2007-8 financial year). Council’s plans to support these goals involve developments in solar energy use, alternative water harvesting, gas use reduction, increased canopy/tree cover, increasing local biodiversity, and electric council cars.

In the community, council has set a target of carbon neutrality in broader Boroondara by 2035, with 30% community emission reduction by 2030 and 100% by 2040 (compared to 2020 emissions). Supporting measures to accomplish these targets include renewable energy resources, tree planting, electric vehicle infrastructure, diversion of waste from landfill, water wastage reduction, and participation in community education initiatives.

Local environmental group Lighter Footprints commends council on the development of the draft Climate Action Plan and supports its basis on “science-based zero emission targets for council and community”.

Co-Convenor Lynn Frankes did note that Lighter Footprints are concerned about council’s perceivably limited budget for the plan and lack of detail about implementation and sector-specific interim targets, and they will continue to urge City of Boroondara to officially declare a climate emergency. However, Lighter Footprints do believe council is “on the right track and we look forward to working with council as the plan is put into practice”.

All of the actions City of Boroondara has committed to over the next ten years as part of the plan are outlined in detail in the draft, which can be read here.

Council is accepting feedback submissions on the draft Climate Action Plan as part of their community consultation until 5 August 2021.

Don’t forget to have your say online by filling out the survey here, or contacting council via boroondara@boroondara.vic.gov.au or on (03) 9278 4444.