Climate emergency declaration

The City of Cockburn's response to the Cockburn Gazette on 17.12.19 to questions about a call from a member of the public for the City to declare a climate emergency -

Question: Given more than 70 councils across Australia have already declared a climate emergency, does the City of Cockburn have any plans to join them in the future Why/why not?

Answer: The City is developing a Climate Change Strategy and Zero Carbon Plan for 2020 to 2030. The strategy and plan will be developed in consultation with Elected Members, staff and the community.
One of the actions under consideration is whether the City should declare a Climate Emergency. The City will seek input from Elected Members and the community on this decision.
 
The City of Cockburn has been proactively reducing greenhouse gas emissions for 20 years since joining the Cities for Climate Protection in 1999.
 
Cockburn became a signatory to the WALGA Climate Change Declaration in 2012 and joined the Cities Power Partnership in 2019 to collaborate with other local governments to create a more sustainable future. Cities Power Partnership pledges on behalf of the City will be incorporated into the Climate Change Strategy and Zero Carbon Plan for 2020 to 2030.
 
Cockburn currently holds the largest inventory of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for Local Government in Western Australia, having installed over 1400kW on its buildings.
 
The City recently exceeded its 2020 renewable energy target and currently generates 23 per cent of energy for council facilities from solar power. Other renewable energy systems include geothermal pool heating at Cockburn ARC and methane gas extraction at Henderson Waste Recovery Park.
 
Cockburn has maintained a Zero Emissions Fleet since 2011 by offsetting the emissions with carbon credits generated from biodiverse tree planting projects in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt. Additionally, the City is investing in an electric waste truck trial and has installed five electric vehicle charging stations across the municipality.
 
Since 2011, Cockburn has sustained a revolving ‘greenhouse action fund’ using savings from previous emission reduction initiatives. To date this fund has allocated more than $2 million towards energy saving projects including a 1MW solar PV system at Cockburn ARC.
 
The annual Sustainable Living event series offers a number of workshops each year to raise awareness of climate change, improve energy efficiency and encourage waste reduction.
 
In 2016, the City became and endorsed Gold Waterwise Council for its continued action to reduce water and associated energy consumption in its facilities and parks.
 
Question: Was the City aware at all (of Lucas Blackman's petition calling for the City to declare a climate emergency)?
Answer: The City responded to a Customer Request from Lucas Blackman in October. The City’s Environmental Education Officer offered to meet with Lucas to discuss his ideas.