Share your ideas on the climate emergency

Have your say on the Bayside Climate Emergency Action Plan to address and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

The plan will include actions Council will take to respond to the climate emergency, as well as support for our local community to take action to reduce impact on the environment.

So far, we’ve heard from more than 1,500 people on their priorities and what changes they are willing to make in the future. 

Have your say for our Climate Emergency Action Plan

We’ve also heard some common questions………..

Why is it a ‘climate emergency’?

The latest UN IPCC (United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report shows that we could have just 10 years left to limit a climate catastrophe. We recognise that as an organisation and a community, we need to take more action, and we need to do it faster. It’s not about our children and grandchildren; it’s about us, now.

 Why isn’t Council sticking to roads, rates and rubbish?

The climate emergency impacts all of these things.  We need to take immediate AND long term steps to address of climate change.

Roads: private transport is one the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Helping our community embrace less fossil fuel intensive transport options and using more sustainable materials in road construction are just some of the actions we can take. Rates: managing climate risk is now recognised by governments and businesses internationally as a material risk to their operations. Not managing the impacts of climate change could put significant upwards pressure on the rates paid by our community now and in the future. Rubbish: emissions from waste to landfill are a significant contributor to global warming. Reducing, reusing and recycling our waste will help to reduce emissions. The introduction of our new food and green waste recycling service is just one initiative to reduce the climate impacts of our waste.

Councils also have an obligation under the Local Government Act to promote the mitigation and planning for climate change risks. 

What can the Bayside community do personally to address the climate emergency?

As a community, Bayside emits around 1.2 million tonnes of greenhouse gases per year. We are the highest greenhouse gas emitters per capita in the world. By reducing emissions and preparing for the impacts of climate change we are contributing to the solution, not the problem. Check out these great tips on ways you can help to make a difference.

We are in good company - Bayside has joined a global movement of over 1380 local governments working on the climate emergency – over 89 councils across Australia have declared, with over 27 of in Victoria. Working with these other councils, Bayside can advocate to the State and Federal governments on behalf of our community for action on the climate emergency.

Find out more and have your say