Local Governments are ideally placed to be at the forefront in assisting their communities to reduce emission and respond to the likely increase in costs of electricity and fuel once the proposed Australian Government Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme has commenced. Working with other levels of government, Local Governments can facilitate community action to reduce emissions, ultimately saving money for ratepayers.

The Introductory Guideline for Local Government Actions to Mitigate Climate Change available in July 2009 will assist Local Government to better respond to carbon management, implement appropriate measures to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in a timely, transparent, diligent and cost effective manner, engage communities on carbon mitigation to facilitate behavioural change, and strengthen capacity in the transition to a low carbon future. The guideline also aims to provide information to Local Governments on the implications of emerging legislative requirements concerning carbon emissions and energy consumption including the proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme and the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007.

The LGAQ will deliver a number of regional workshops in August 2009 following the guides’ release. For further information contact the LGAQ NRM & Climate Change Policy Advisor on (07) 3000 2202.