Context

Australian councils have been at the forefront of climate action for decades. From improving energy efficiency and installing renewables on council owned facilities to implementing large-scale community programs, local governments hold leading insights into the opportunities and challenges of taking meaningful action on climate change.

The 2015 Paris Agreement recognises the critical role of local and sub-national governments in driving the actions needed to avoid dangerous climate change. With world leaders set to discuss plans for progressing this agreement at COP26 in 2021, now is the time for Australian councils to lift our gaze and consider our role in delivering national and global change.

This session is for councils, city networks and stakeholders. We’ll hear from local and international speakers on why COP26 is critical for local governments, consider Australian council’s successes and opportunities, and look at how Australian councils can work under one national umbrella group over the next 12 months to lead local climate action and help drive the global climate agenda.

Topics to be addressed

• The global context

• Local government’s role and why it's important

• What the sector needs to do in lead up to COP

• The Australian context.

Host

• Michael Williams, Artistic Director of Sydney Writers' Festival

Speakers 

• Anna Reynolds, Lord Mayor, Hobart City Council

• Additional speakers to be confirmed.

Moderators

• Alexi Lynch, Ironbark Sustainability

• Darcy Pimblett, Climate Council

• Stephanie Ziersch, Consultan

Note: this is an online event

contact@betterfutures.org.au