Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing us today. Without action to both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for these changes, the direct and indirect impacts of climate change may have major adverse effects on our society, our economy and the environment.
Climate Change and The City of Greater Geelong
Council has a real opportunity to anticipate potential future climate change impacts and develop better local planning policies and operational practices.
In doing so the City of Greater Geelong is leading by example and building awareness and capacity within the broader community, to reduce the economic, social and environmental impacts associated with climate change.
The City of Greater Geelong has 140km of coastline and is therefore susceptible to climate change impacts such as coastal erosion and flooding due to increased sea level rise and storm surge. Geelong is also home to a number of high energy use and/or polluting industries.
What is the City Doing
The City of Greater Geelong's Greenhouse Response 2008-2011 brings together the previously adopted Greenhouse Strategy and a new Greenhouse Local Action Plan.
The City of Greater Geelong Council has set a minimum Greenhouse Reduction target of 30 per cent for 2010 and a 60 per cent reduction goal for 2025. In committing to these targets the City is making a serious commitment to reducing greenhouse emissions across its many areas of operation.
To achieve the target set for 2010 Council will need to reduce it's corporate greenhouse gas emissions by 9,910 tonnes. The Greenhouse Response 2008-2011 governs the mix of actions over three financial years.
The Greenhouse Response 2008-2011 recomends conserving the amount of energy use; substituting fossil fuels with renewable energy supplies; and offset carbon emissions through revegetation including tree planting.
As well as setting out methods for reducing greenhouse gases the City's Greenhouse Response 2008-2011 considers what measures might be required to prepare for the effects of climate change.
Further information about Climate Change
Greenhouse Reduction Strategy (PDF-817KB)
Adopted Greenhouse Response (PDF-551KB)
External Web Links
