Decision Maker: Council
Decision status: Recommendations Determined
Moved by Councillor Scully, seconded by the
Chair (the Lord Mayor) -
It is resolved that:
(A)
Council
note:
(i)
Australia
has not adopted a net zero emissions by 2050 target. Australia is out of step
with other advanced economies on this point: at the recent G7 meeting, leaders
committed to achieving net zero “by 2050 at the latest” as well as more
ambitious targets for 2030;
(ii)
the
Better Futures Australia initiative is part of a global action supported by
Climate Action Network Australia. It is the work of a network of partners who
are amplifying climate work already underway by bringing together private and
public sector leaders to scale success stories and demonstrate Australia’s
readiness for an ambitious national response to climate change;
(iii)
Better
Futures Australia is inviting all Australians, including local governments, to
join a growing community of climate champions in advocating for a national
response that will reach zero emissions by 2050 or sooner;
(iv)
Better
Futures Australia have invited local governments around the country, including
the City of Sydney, to become a signatory to the call for Australia to reach
net zero emissions by 2050. The declaration currently has 61 signatories
including the City of Adelaide, Moreland City Council and the Town of Gawler;
(v)
the
City of Sydney is far advanced in our commitment to climate action, and we are
leading by example when it comes to our ambitious and bold net zero goal by
2035; and
(vi)
this
commitment and action puts the City of Sydney in a good position to show other
local governments and businesses that climate action can be delivered from the
bottom up to support the delivery of the Paris Agreement; and
(B)
the
Lord Mayor be requested to sign on to the Better Futures Australia Declaration
for net zero emissions by 2050 on behalf of the City of Sydney, to encourage
other governments across Australia to follow suit.
Carried unanimously.
S129264
Report author: Erin Cashman
Publication date: 09/08/2021
Date of decision: 09/08/2021
Decided at meeting: 09/08/2021 - Council
Accompanying Documents: