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City of Albany council set to vote on climate change action declaration

Headshot of Sarah Makse
Sarah MakseAlbany Advertiser
Albany school's climate strike marched from Anzac Peace Park to the Albany Town Square.
Camera IconAlbany school's climate strike marched from Anzac Peace Park to the Albany Town Square. Credit: Laurie Benson/Albany Advertiser

The City of Albany council will vote next week on whether to adopt a climate change action declaration, a little over a year after Albany youth took to the streets to demand urgent local action to combat the global climate crisis.

Councillors will decide on Tuesday whether to adopt an official declaration created alongside the City’s youth representatives, outlining seven key commitments to shape the City’s response to the threat of climate change.

If adopted, the City will commit to transitioning its assets to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030.

It will also pledge to advocate to the State and Federal Governments to implement key climate change action regionally, in line with international agreements such as the Paris Climate Agreement.

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Students’ voices were heard loud and clear in September 2019, when hundreds of young people marched up York Street in solidarity with the global climate strike.

Albany school's climate strike marched from Anzac Peace Park to the Albany Town Square.
Camera IconAlbany school's climate strike marched from Anzac Peace Park to the Albany Town Square. Credit: Laurie Benson/Albany Advertiser

After the march, they presented the council with a petition signed by 1000 Albany residents calling on the City to adopt the WALGA Declaration on Climate Change.

According to a City officer’s report published ahead of this month’s council meeting, 40 out of 148 WA local governments have endorsed either a climate declaration or a climate emergency declaration.

The City’s declaration has been developed in consultation with the City’s Youth Advisory Council which worked with the City to create the policy in line with young people’s priorities for “stronger, demonstrable action on climate change”.

“The City of Albany Climate Action Declaration acknowledges that climate change is occurring and requires immediate and urgent action,” the report said.

“The declaration acknowledges the City’s support for climate change and sustainability initiatives, and includes a number of actions in an effort to reduce carbon emissions and increase renewable energy technology.”

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