The Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration has been recognised by being named as a finalist in the national 2023 Cities Power Partnership Climate Award Collaboration Category. The awards recognise the work of local governments who are paving the way to a zero-carbon future.
The Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration is made up of 12 partner organisations and was designed to bring businesses, community groups, households, and schools together for three years of climate change action to put Greater Bendigo on the path to zero emissions by 2030.
City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said she was delighted by the announcement and congratulated everyone who has supported the Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration since its inception in 2022.
“This is well deserved recognition for all the groups, organisations, businesses and individuals involved in the collaboration who are working together to help our region reach zero emissions by 2030,” Cr Metcalf said.
“The Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration held community forums on topics of renewable energy, transport and agriculture, organized a CEO Roundtable that brought together 20 local CEO’s to discuss commitment to climate action, and the Greater Bendigo Climate Summit which attracted more than 700 attendees and expert speakers to spanning topics from electrification, transportation, and social justice.
“It also engaged over 1,500 individuals, community groups, and businesses on climate change and what it would take to transition to a zero emissions city by 2030. In the end, this has culminated in the Greater Bendigo Zero Emissions Roadmap, which identifies the 35 most critical projects for achieving zero emissions.”
Finalists were selected from entries submitted by diverse communities from rural townships through to capital cities across seven award categories including renewable energy, energy efficiency, collaboration and innovation.
Dr Portia Odell, Director of the Cities Power Partnership, congratulated the City of Greater Bendigo for making the final shortlist for the awards, saying this year’s entries reflect a new level of climate action and ambition amongst local governments.
“From councils collaborating to source 100 percent renewable energy to power their operations, to supporting low-income households to install solar panels and insulate their homes, our finalists are leading the way,” she said.
“These local champions are a critical part of Australia’s climate solution. It’s time to celebrate the climate heroes in local government, who are helping their communities to drive down greenhouse gas emissions and creating a better future.”
Other local government finalists for the Collaboration Award include Merri-bek City Council, Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils and Yarra City Council.
The winners will be announced at the Cities Power Partnership’s Climate Summit for Local Government 2023 on Thursday September 7, 2023 in Melbourne. The Climate Summit is the premier climate and energy event for local government leaders in Australia. It will explore opportunities in clean transport, clean energy transformation, climate risk, building resilience and adapting to climate change, and working together for greater impact.
The Cities Power Partnership is a free national program created by the Climate Council that celebrates and accelerates the emission reduction and clean energy successes of Australia in towns and cities. The awards recognise councils demonstrating climate mitigation action across the listed 39 action pledge items under the Cities Power Partnership. Each of the 7 categories were judged to ensure their respective criteria were met.
