Shire of Kalamunda Achieves Milestone 5 of the Cities for Climate Protection
The Shire of Kalamunda had received Milestone 5 of the Cities for Climate Protection Program. The Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Program aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The achievement of Milestone 5 is an example of Council’s clear commitment to sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions. Our proactive response to the CCP Program demonstrates our responsibility and accountability for greenhouse issues on a global, national, state and regional level.
The Shire recognises that climate change resulting from the enhanced greenhouse effect is a major environmental threat and that our actions today may have long-term impacts on future generations. Although the Shire is only a small contributor to Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions, Council is committed to showing leadership in playing our part to reduce the country’s emissions and to build the capacity of local government to act on greenhouse matters.
Since joining the CCP program in 2000, the Shire has been able to learn, adapt and reduce local greenhouse gas emissions. Staff have recognised the importance of their role and how they can contribute positively to the global greenhouse effort, and the community is beginning to recognise the value and benefits of reducing energy use.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is challenging to achieve in a Shire with substantial population growth and areas of greenfields development. It has been still more challenging in a period in which the Shire has undertaken a major refurbishment and extension of its administration facilities. The achievement of Milestone 5 shows the commitment of the Shire of Kalamunda to achieve a 20% reduction goal for corporate activities, aiming to stabilize community emissions by 2010. These goals are represented in the Shire of Kalamunda’s Corporate and Community Greenhouse Action Plans and District Conservation Strategy.