Reducing Emissions and Adapting to Climate Change

The City has a strong, 20 year history in taking decisive and responsible action on climate change.

Climate Change Strategy 2020 – 2030

The Climate Change Strategy is a commitment to continue the City of Cockburn’s 20-year role as a leader in climate resilience and sustainability. 

In May 2020, we sought leadership direction from the community on how to create a sustainable and climate resilient future.  The community shared their vision, aspirations and insights for a better tomorrow. The City has used this vision to develop the Climate Change Strategy 2020 – 2030 which sets a strong targets and actions to help us become carbon neutral and adapt to the impacts of Climate Change.

At the heart of the strategy is the ‘climate resilience roadmap’ with 14 objectives. The primary emissions reduction target is to achieve net zero emissions. Other targets include: zero non-hazardous waste to landfill, a zero emissions fleet and a transition to 100 percent renewable electricity.

To help reduce the impacts of climate change we will create a waterwise city, conserve biodiversity, increase the urban forest, undertake coastal adaptation, protect our community and infrastructure.

The strategy includes a comprehensive action plan that provides information on each of the 14 objectives and a set of actions to achieve the targets.

Coastal Adaptation Plan

The Coastal Adaptation Plan was developed in 2016 as part of the Cockburn Sound Coastal Vulnerability & Flexible Adaptation Pathways Project. The plan guides the City in managing risks and adapting to coastal changes in a sustainable and flexible manner.
 
The Coastal Adaptation Plan adopts a flexible adaptation pathway approach, which aims to implement management actions using risk-based triggers whilst prioritising measures that address the coastal risk without limiting future adaptation strategy options.

The adaptation plan has been informed by the Coastal Vulnerability Study (2013) and the Values and Risk Assessment (2014) undertaken by the Cockburn Sound Coastal Alliance.  

It provides a best practice approach to coastal adaptation and details specific actions the City will take in the immediate (15-year) planning horizon to manage risk including coastal erosion and inundation.
 

Related Documents

Document name Downloadable files
City of Cockburn Coastal Adaptation PlanPDF document

Cockburn Sound Coastal Alliance

The City is a founding member of the Cockburn Sound Coastal Alliance (CSCA). The CSCA aims to take a regional approach to understanding and adapting to coastal hazards, so that methodologies to address climate change risks are consistent within the geographical area of Cockburn Sound and Owen Anchorage.
 

Future Climate, Future Home: Adaptive urban design strategies for WA

In 2023 the City signed on to be a project partner for the Future Climate, Future Home research project with the Australian Urban Design Research Centre and UWA.
 
The project aims to improve understanding of the impact of changes in temperature and rainfall on urban areas, public open space and housing to develop evidence-based strategies to inform adaptation measures and Climate-Sensitive Urban Design that will assist governments to foster healthy and climate resilient communities.
 
The project is in partnership with State Government's Development WA, WA Planning Commission, Department of Planning Lands and Heritage, and Department of Communities, and seven local governments across WA's climate regions.

Cities Power Partnership

The Cities Power Partnership (CPP) is Australia’s largest local government climate network, representing almost 11 million Australians.

Cockburn joined CPP in 2019 and was the first council in Western Australia to become a Cities Power Partnership champion.
 
The partnership provides the City with the opportunity to contribute to the national knowledge hub and collaborate with other councils.
 
Participating councils are required to identify five power partnership pledges. The City has selected the following five pledges which are addressed within the Climate Change Strategy 2020 - 2030:
  1. Set city-level renewable energy or emissions reduction targets.
  2. Roll out energy efficient lighting across the municipality.
  3. Identify opportunities to turn organic waste into electricity.
  4. Install renewable energy (solar PV and battery storage) on council buildings.
  5. Power council operations by renewable energy, and set targets to increase the level of renewable power for council operations.

What can I do to tackle Climate Change?

There are a number of actions you can take to reduce your carbon footprint and to adapt to climate change impacts in your home and community.

Make your home more sustainable

Track your energy use and be ClimateClever

Sign up for the intelligent ClimateClever Homes App to calculate your electricity, water and gas use, make quick cost savings and join a movement of people taking action on climate change. Cockburn residents receive a 50% discount.

Build a sustainable community

Collective households (2 or more home owners in a neighborhood), small business and local community groups can apply for a Sustainability Grant of up to $4,000 towards a sustainability related project.

Drive less. Walk, ride and use public transport more

There are so many fun ways to get around our City. Try a community bike ride or local walking group, join the Cockburn Bicycle User Group or attend a bike maintenance session. Its Your Move!

Get Waterwise

Be a good sort and reduce waste

Get wild about wetlands

Plan for extreme weather such as bushfires and heatwaves

Find out how to prepare your home for fire season and prepare a survival kit
 

Related Documents

Document name Downloadable files
15 Ways to Kick Start Sustainable Living PosterPDF document

Climate Clever

ClimateClever helps empower school, students and households to reduce their carbon footprint and save money.

The City joined Climate Clever in 2020 through the Local Government (LGA) Partnership Program.

Residents and Schools in Cockburn are encouraged to participate and can receive a 50% discount on ClimateClever apps.
 
Join now for Households


Join now for Schools 
 
 

More information and contact 

Please contact the Sustainability Officer for more information on climate change by calling 08 9411 3444 or send an email to [email protected]

Contact

Address

City of Cockburn
Whadjuk Boodja
9 Coleville Crescent,
Spearwood 6163

PO Box 1215, Bibra Lake DC,
Western Australia, 6965

Office opening hours:
8.30am to 4.30pm
Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)

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Cockburn Nyungar moort Beeliar boodja-k kaadadjiny. Koora, yeyi, benang baalap nidja boodja-k kaaradjiny.
Ngalak kaditj boodjar kep wer kaadidjiny kalyakool yoodaniny, wer koora wer yeyi ngalak Birdiya koota-djinanginy.

City of Cockburn acknowledges the Nyungar people of Beeliar boodja. Long ago, now and in the future they care for Country.
We acknowledge a continuing connection to land, waters and culture and pay our respects to the Elders, past and present.