Appendix B Methodology

Next Article

Executive summary

Term

Active transport

Adaptation

Biodiversity

Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) Definition

Physical activity undertaken for transport purposes, rather than recreation, e.g. cycling or walking. Learning to live with, adjusting or making changes to cope with the impacts of climate change. The variety of all life-forms and the ecosystems of which they are a part, including plants, animals, fungi, protists (including algae) and bacteria, and their encoded genes. A measure for simply estimating the global warming potential of various greenhouse gases, such as methane or nitrous oxide, against carbon dioxide.

Carbon neutral

Achieving an overall balance between greenhouse gas emissions produced and greenhouse gas emissions taken out of the atmosphere, resulting in a net zero amount.

Carbon offset

An exchange or reduction of emissions to compensate for emissions made elsewhere, commonly measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO2-e). Carbon sequestration The long-term storage of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere naturally in plants, soils, water bodies and the ocean, or capturing it with technology and permanently storing it underground.

Climate change

The long-term rise in global average temperature, caused by human influence, resulting in negative effects such as sea level rise, ocean acidification, extreme weather events, loss of biodiversity and increase in human suffering.

Climate emergency

Recognition that urgent action is required to avoid the worst effects of climate change.

Climate Emergency Declaration

Divestment

Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD)

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

Mitigation

Declaring a Climate Emergency means that the organisation prioritises and takes a holistic view of how climate change can impact Council activities, the community and environment of the Shire. Reducing and then eliminating connection to funds invested in fossil-fuel supporting industries, typically through banking, loans, shares and other financial portfolios. A school of design that seeks to improve building performance, reduce environmental impact, resource use and waste, and create healthy environments for occupants and users.

Gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and others that, when present in the atmosphere, increase the amount of solar radiation absorbed, leading to a rise in global average temperature. GHGs are primarily released by the combustion of fossil fuels. United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change. The panel provides regular assessments of the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation. Reducing and preventing emissions of greenhouse gases, and the sequestration of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Net zero (emissions) Carbon emissions are produced, but balanced out with equivalent offsets. Carbon dioxide is captured and sequestered equivalent to the CO2 emitted.

Renewable energy

Resilience

Energy generated from renewable sources such as solar, wind or geothermal, in contrast to the energy from non-renewable fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas or oil. Ability to recover or adapt to changes in environmental and/or living conditions at a personal, community, economic and ecological level.

Community consultation

The Climate Emergency Plan was informed by consultation with Wadawurrung, community members and businesses. Overall, Council received 636 discrete comments from approximately

200 people.

Stakeholders were invited to provide their thoughts through the following consultation methods: • Review and input by Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Aboriginal Corporation • A Have Your Say survey • Three in-person community workshops in Teesdale, Dereel, Smythesdale and one online workshop • Booths at the Golden Plains Farmers’ Market, Smythesdale Market, Golden Plains Community Fair in Bannockburn, and at the Bannockburn Youth Hub • Engagement with students at Woady Yaloak (Ross Creek Campus) and Meredith Primary Schools • Nine 1:1 interviews with businesses and community groups in the Shire • Comments sent by email from community members. Most feedback was received via the survey, which had 78 responses, and the community workshops. Most survey respondents indicated they were based in Bannockburn (42%) and fell into the 36 to 50 year age bracket (33%).

Survey

Community Workshop

3% 1% 1%

4%

5%

Comments by engagement method

39% 47%

Farmers market

Internal staff engagement

1-1 interview

Golden Plains Youth Hub

Email

What are you currently doing to reduce your impact on the environment? (Survey participants)

With Council support, what would you like to start doing to reduce your impact on the environment? (Survey participants)

Number of participants

I compost my food waste

I conserve my energy where possible

I regularly try to increase my knowledge

I source my food locally

Other - please specify

I try to travel sustainably wherever possible

I volunteer in my community

None of the above 6

10

25

24

24 32

31

20 30 40

56

55

50 60

Number of participants

Sourcing local food

Conserving more energy

Travelling more sustainably

Increasing my knowledge

Other - please specify

None of the above

Composting my food waste

Volunteering in my community

5

8 14

13 17 26

25

23

22

10 15 20 25 30

Other consultation

The actions were also informed by conversations with staff from seven Victorian Councils that have effective Climate Emergency Plans and Golden Plains Shire internal staff teams. Internal staff teams that were consulted include: • Finance

• Strategic planning • Statutory planning • Capital works • Asset services • Health, Wellbeing and Youth • Community Development • Community Safety • Community, Places and Environment • Governance and Risk • Facilities