Vote Climate in the Victorian council elections 2024. Find out what your council candidates said in response to our climate and democracy questionnaire.
“We are on a highway to climate hell with our foot still on the accelerator.” - UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres
Climate breakdown has begun. Last year was the first year with an average of 1.5oC global warming. We are passing tipping points for runaway warming. It is, therefore, more vital than ever that we declare a climate emergency and take the strongest possible action.
We now need to do more than just reduce emissions. Climate scientists and campaigners are calling for ‘three Rs’. These are: Reduce emissions rapidly, Redraw (draw down) excess carbon dioxide, and Repair damaged ecosystems (for example, using cooling measures like marine cloud brightening to protect the Arctic ice). More recently, a fourth R, increasing Resilience, has been added to reflect the need to protect people from the impacts that are now unavoidable.
Councils’ role in the climate emergency. Local councils have a vital role in educating residents about the need for emergency action and pressuring other levels of government, as well as locally implementing ‘four Rs’ policies. Councils must declare a climate emergency and draft a strong climate emergency plan, which includes using all available communication channels to increase awareness of the urgent need for action, along with an appropriate budget for implementation. Here are some examples of council climate emergency plans from Darebin, Greater Shepparton, Maribyrnong, Merri-bek and Yarra.
Councils can assist citizens with the transition to renewable energy and electrification, boost active transport, and undertake small-scale drawdown (and local cooling) by increasing tree cover and restoring vegetation around waterways. Small-scale projects around reflectivity can include encouraging white roofs and using pale materials for roads, paths and car parks. There are also difficult and important decisions to make about land zoning, for example, in areas at risk from fire, flood or sea-level rise. The responsibilities for risk reduction, protection of lives and livelihoods during extreme weather, and implementing recovery plans, also often lie with councils.
Climate emergency booklet
Download a free guide to explaining the climate emergency here.
Vote Climate acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung people who are the traditional custodians of the land on which much of the work for this site is done. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.
Except where otherwise explicitly authorised, any material on this website which may be construed as electoral material or an electoral matter under any State or Commonwealth Law is authorised by Jane Morton on behalf of Vote Climate. Address: c/o 12 Auburn Ave Northcote Victoria 3070.
Want a house sign?
Tell your neighbours that you are putting climate first when you vote in frderal. state or council elections. Email us.
Have your local council candidates pledged to support the declaration of a climate emergency?
These three candidates in Kew electorate signed on adurin the Victorian election. Download and print the photo pledge and ask candidates to sign it.
Contact a politician, put up a house sign, come letter-boxing. It's going to take a lot of people power to overcome the vested interests that stand in the way of emergency climate action.
Contact us here. Find a group near you.
Vote Climate Australia
Vote Climate is a network linking community groups working on solutions to the climate crisis. Our network includes local climate action groups, groups opposing new coal and gas projects, groups protecting forests, and groups working for a rapid transition to 100% renewable energy.
We aim to make climate action a central issue in every election, to push parties and candidates to adopt stronger policies, and to inform voters about the parties and candidates with the best climate and energy policies.
This election, and every election, use your vote to push for strong action on climate change.
We want politicians to tell the truth about how serious the climate crisis is, and that's what we try to do. Our election scorecards rate the parties and independent candidates on how their policies measure up to what is actually required for a safe climate future: zero emissions as fast as humanly possible, and draw down of the excess greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere.
There is no time left to be content with what is politically feasible. Slow incremental change will leave our children with an unlivable planet. So let's start telling the truth about the climate emergency and talking about the speed and scale of the transition we need to make. If climate groups are not willing to talk honestly about the scale of the transition required, then how can we expect politicians to be up front with the public?
