Breakout
Session 1 Details
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11:30AM
Please choose one
of the four options /
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[Rooms 101 & 102]
The role of sub-national governments and communities in COP Australia hopes to co-host COP31 but do we have what it takes? Under the Paris Agreement, Australia must submit emissions reduction commitments (Nationally Determined Contributions, NDCs) in March 2025. The Government has also committed to joining the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP) during the COP28 in Dubai. But what does this all mean for councils and communities? How is voluntary action taken by local government recognised in the NDCs? ...and just where does the country's Net Zero Plan fit into the picture? This session will seek to explore the role of councils and communities in driving ambition and impact at the international level, and clarify how councils can advocate and engage in discussions at the next COP. Facilitator: Scott McKenry, Executive Officer, Eastern Alliance for Greenhouse Alliance Jess Robbins, Climate Futures Lead, City of Hobart (slides) Sharin Govender, Programs and Partnerships Lead, ICLEI (slides) Rob Law, Senior Manager, Energy Transitions, WWF (slides) /
[Room 103] Environmentally sustainable design compliance in land use planning We know that compliance has long been a concern in the building industry. We also know that we will need stronger policy and regulation to deliver safe, comfortable and resilient buildings. With sustainable design now firmly embedded in the planning process, are these planning commitments being followed through to the built outcome? Are we getting what we asked for? And if we aren’t, what role do councils have in ensuring compliance with the environmentally sustainable design requirements for planning permits? Facilitator: Natasha Palich, Executive Officer, Council Alliance for a Sustainable Built Environment Kosta Vassilacopoulos, Planning Enforcement Officer, Merri-bek City Council & Karmen Wheeler, Planning Enforcement Officer, Merri-bek City Council (slides) Shaun Tompkins, Sustainable Buildings Officer, Merri-bek City Council (slides) Kristin Richardson, Special Counsel Public Law, Maddocks (slides) /
[Room 104] Emerging electrification and decarbonisation opportunities for councils As councils and the private sector seek to electrify and decarbonise their buildings, transport and other sectors, more opportunities are emerging. Geothermal energy is an example which is relatively new and underutilised in Australia compared to the widespread use overseas, and which could be applied at scale for council buildings and precincts. Green hydrogen is another which could have great benefit for councils looking to decarbonise their heavy fleet. Biogas could be used within existing gas infrastructure as a shorter term solution for councils prior to electrification, but needs careful navigation. What is the potential role for local government in supporting the growth of these technologies? What are some of the challenges for councils in navigating the range of decarbonisation options and finding the best solutions? This session seeks to explore the emerging technologies that could play a big role for councils in the decarbonisation journey in the coming years. Facilitator: Tiffany Harrison, Coordinator, Gippsland Alliance for Climate Action Graeme Beardsmore, Senior Fellow in the School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Melbourne (slides) Rebecca Wells, CEO Mallee Regional Innovation Centre (slides) Patrick Lynch, VECO and Sustainability Officer, Brimbank City Council (slides) /
[Rooms 105 & 106] An exploration of useful training to embed climate risk management within councils The session includes a taster of 'Becoming Climate Ready: Enabling local government to identify and manage climate risk better' – a 10-week online course for council executives. With an informed panel, the session will also have an in-depth discussion about how to use training to embed climate risk management within all service teams. We'll look at the priorities, how to maximise the benefits of training, the constraints and how to run it efficiently. We'll also take this opportunity to spruik some useful training opportunities for councils. Facilitator: Fran MacDonald, Executive Officer, Western Alliance for Greenhouse Action (session slides) Cheryl Briars, The Climate Ready Initiative, Griffith University Daniel Kabel, ESD Infrastructure Officer, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council Pete Mercouriou, Senior Sustainability Officer, City of Greater Geelong Sally MacAdams, Coordinator, Climate Emergency Australia Go back to Conference Program > |
