Climate Change

Climate Change Consultative Committee

The membership and Terms of Reference for the Latrobe City Climate Change Consultative Committee were adopted by Council on 9 March 2010. The Committee is chaired by the Councillor delegate, community representatives, industry representatives and agency representatives.

The objectives of the Committee are: 

• To promote the activities and leadership displayed in Latrobe City in addressing climate change.
• To act as an advocate and sounding board for the community and other stakeholders bringing to the attention of Latrobe City any issues of concern regarding the response to climate change.
• To act as a channel of communication between the community, stakeholders and Latrobe City Council.
• To review initiatives and activities including reports, investigations and studies into climate change.
• To provide advice to Latrobe City Council and the community in relation to the climate change challenge.
• To report to Council in June of each year on the overall operations and achievements of the Consultative Committee.

Please send any communications for the Committee to Deirdre Griepsma, Manager, Natural Environment Sustainability, Latrobe City Council, PO Box 264, Morwell 3840, or email latrobe@latrobe.vic.gov.au

• Position on Climate Change and its impacts(pdf, 74kb)
• 20 ways to reduce your carbon footprint (pdf, 617kb)
  

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The concentrations of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere are increasing due to human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and land clearing. The evidence indicates this is causing global warming and climate change, including increases in the global average surface temperature, sea levels, evaporation and extreme weather events.Climate change is one of the most critical environmental, economic and social issues affecting the earth.

Latrobe City Council joined the ICLEI (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives) Cities for Climate Protection program in 1998. This is a global program that seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the local government level through energy savings and other initiatives. The program does not cover power generators, who have their own program "Greenhouse Challenge". The CCP program operates on a milestone framework, with 5 milestones set out to allow Councils to work strategically and then prioritise action areas.

Latrobe City Council has completed all 5 milestones and joined the CCP Plus program in 2007.

Latrobe City Council has set the following greenhouse gas emission reduction targets:

• Corporate reduction of 25% based on 1998 emission levels by 2010
• Community reduction of 20% based on 1996 emission levels by 2010

Community greenhouse emissions are difficult to measure. The introduction of the 3 bin curb side waste system in July 2004 has so far resulted in a 5% (91,970 tonnes CO2eq) reduction in community emissions compared to 1996 levels.