SECCCA Winter Update 2020
The Transformational Decade
Like climate change, the COVID 19 pandemic has impacted vulnerable communities the most deeply, and like climate change, scientists have been warning of the inevitability of a pandemic for years and yet we have not been adequately prepared. And now, as the community starts to tentatively re-engage and the economy slowly re opens, it is critical that economic stimulus plans seize the opportunity to lock in a zero carbon trajectory, to ensure we are readying for the reality of a ‘new normal’ – a zero carbon global economy. We need to flatten the emissions curve.
Climate Works have described in their Decarbonisation Futures report, net zero emissions before 2050 can be achieved through accelerated deployment of existing, mature and demonstrated zero-emissions technologies. Calling this our Transformational Decade, the report argues for strong action from Governments, including the setting of targets as an immediate fundamental action.
With oil price forecasts having fallen by almost a third over the next 3 decades, BP has recently announced that the COVID 19 pandemic will have an ‘enduring impact on the global economy’ and that the pace of the transition to a zero carbon economy will quicken as countries seek to ‘build back better’ to ensure their economies become more resilient.
The south east region’s and Victoria’s recovery must also prioritise the ‘build back better’ objective. Infrastructure development and other recovery initiatives must incorporate zero carbon, climate resilient technologies, ensuring the communities of the south east region can continue to thrive in a zero carbon world.
Climate Change Risk and Local government act
With the new Local Government Act 2020 now passed, planning and mitigation for climate change risk is now incorporated in the nine overarching governance principles (Part 2, Section 9. 2 (c), pg 25)
Supporting the inclusion of climate change risk in its submission to the 2018 Exposure Draft, SECCCA noted that Councils must ensure their operations are resilient to climate risk and help communities build climate resilience.
DELWP has been developing Guidelines for local government explaining roles and responsibility as they relate to climate change regulatory responsibilities. SECCCA along with Victorian councils were consulted as part of the Guideline development process. The date for their publication is yet to be advised.
Regional Adaptation strategy
As part of the Victorian Government Supporting our Regions to Adapt program, SECCCA secured $65K funding to help deliver DELWP’s adaptation strategy for the Greater Melbourne region.
The funding grant will enable SECCCA to evaluate and document the processes and approaches developed during the delivery of SECCCAs Asset Vulnerability Assessment Project. Using the outcomes of the evaluation, SECCCA will develop a Toolkit to assist SECCCA member councils and other Victorian councils to assess the vulnerability of council assets to climate change.
POST COVID Recovery Advocacy - Zero carbon residential development
SECCCA has provided a submission to the Building Victoria’s Recovery Taskforce, explaining that energy efficiency and renewable energy for residential homes is available, achievable and affordable and should be included as a requirement of social housing developments.
Underpinned by learning from SECCCA’s Energy Saver Study, Residential Energy Efficiency Scorecard and most recently, the New Homes Energy Advisor Service, SECCCA can demonstrate that these initiatives vastly improve a resident’s well-being by making homes easier to heat and cool and more pleasant to live in.
The SECCCA Councillor Advisory Group has also written to the Master Builders Association, the Housing Industry Association and a number of leading building companies, explaining the importance of incorporating energy efficiency and renewable energy into new homes and major renovations and calling on them to change the design and approach to volume built residential homes.
Strong Emissions Reduction Targets for Strong Economic Recovery
The SECCCA Councillor Advisory Group has supported calls for an interim emission reduction target that will position the Victorian economy to be competitive in a zero-carbon global marketplace.
To set Victoria on a pathway to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the Victorian Climate Change Act 2017 requires the Victorian Government to set five yearly, interim greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, starting in 2021.
Strong interim emissions reduction targets send a clear investment signal to the Victorian economy, enabling businesses in our local communities to prepare for and take advantage of early-mover opportunities and soften cost shocks well before a zero emissions target in 2050. Strong interim emissions reduction targets also drive investment and job creation in technologies such as renewable energy, industrial and residential energy efficiency, electrification, public transport and improved land use.
An announcement on the interim emission reduction targets has been delayed several times during the COVID 19 pandemic, however, is now expected in August. The Victorian Greenhouse Alliances provided a submission to the interim emissions target review.
Electricity Distribution Networks
Seeking a Better Outcome for Local Government
The Victorian Greenhouse Alliances have produced a submission to the 2021-2026 Victorian Electricity Distribution Price Review (EDPR). The review is conducted by the Australian Energy Regulator every five years and determines the prices electricity network businesses (such as Ausnet and Jemena) can charge for safe, reliable electricity supply to their customers.
This submission provides supporting evidence and rationale for a number of key recommendations in the areas of public lighting, demand management, Distributed Energy Resources (DER), regional supply, vegetation management, climate resilience and stakeholder engagement.
Greenhouse Alliance submissions to previous pricing reviews, were successful in generating over $45m in savings for the local government sector over the previous 10 years.
SECCCA's Asset Vulnerability Assessment Project kicks off
SECCCA has commenced working with member councils to understand the impact of climate change on buildings, local roads and drainage and how Councils can appropriately plan for identified changes.
Governance and project management arrangements have been established, including a Project Working Group consisting of asset managers from each of SECCCA's nine member councils and a Technical Working Group including CSIRO, DELWP and the Insurance Council of Australia. An RFQ will soon be conducted to select a consultant to undertake the work. The project is due for completion in mid-2021.
SECCCA's work with the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) to create a pathway for local governments to access finance required to address the physical risks associated with more extreme, and potentially more frequent, natural hazards continues. A workshop hosted by SECCCA and the ICA in April 2020 discussed potential financing options and challenges. More information including presentations and background papers can be found here.
Effective emissions reduction across the SECCCA region
As greenhouse gas emissions from council’s corporate emissions are relatively small when compared to those from the community, most greenhouse gas emission reduction efforts need to be undertaken by business and the community. The Regional Community Climate Change Action Planning (RCCCAP) project is investigating how councils can most effectively support this community effort.
SECCCA has engaged Ironbark Sustainability to develop a community emissions profile for each council, and then consolidate these to develop a regional emissions profile. As part of this project, key emitting sectors and businesses will be identified and engaged to discuss actions they can take to reduce emissions, and how SECCCA and local government might assist. Stakeholder consultation workshops will be held in July.
Frankston Rejoins SECCCA
SECCCA is delighted to welcome Frankston City Council as a returning member. FCC was a founding member of SECCCA and its return brings substantial climate change expertise. As a member based organisation, one of SECCCA’s key strengths and value propositions is the depth of climate change knowledge and experience that members can benefit from.
Cr Susan Serey has been selected by Frankston City Council to participate in the SECCCA Councillor Advisory Group, with Rachel Weaver and Clare Warren participating in the SECCCA management committee.