Climate change: Australian Local Government Association

Climate change

Welcome to ALGA's climate change policy and research area. Addressing climate change is one of the greatest imperatives that Australia and the world confront as we move further into the 21st century. Local government activities that are likely to be directly impacted by climate change include planning future developments and road infrastructure, which will be affected by sea level and water table rises and storm surges. There will also be impacts on natural resources, health and building regulations and community infrastructure and services.

For well over a decade local government has advocated and worked collaboratively with governments and local and regional communities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a range of programs and initiatives nationally and internationally.

ALGA has a vital interest in climate change policy. ALGA works closely with the Australian Government Departments and State Ministers and officials on major initiatives through the Council of Australian Government (COAG) and other relevant intergovernmental forums. Further details of the work of COAG can be found at www.coag.gov.au

ALGA also makes submissions to the Australian Government on major initiatives to address climate change.

Local Council Risk of Liability in the Face of Climate Change - Resolving Uncertainties: Legal Liability of councils assisting the community to address climate change is a major issue for local government. The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA)engaged Baker & McKenzie to prepare a report which will assist ALGA, in collaboration with State and Territory local government associations (LGAs) to:
Climate Change Policy Position: In October 2010 the ALGA Board adopted the ALGA Position Paper & Discussion Paper. This paper outlines the policy principles and positions to guide ALGAs work to assist local government authorities across Australia to address climate change.
Summary of ALGA Climate Change Policy Position
Clean Energy Future: On 12 October the House of Representative passed the Clean Energy legislative package. The package of reform will now be considered by the Senate. Under the package the Government will put a price on carbon. Details of the clean energy package can be found at the www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au/; Throughout the consultation process for the development of this legislative package, ALGA made several submissions to the Government and the Multi-party Committee responsible for the package. ALGA's submission focussed primarily the inclusion of landfill in the scheme and a range of technical and capacity issues particularly smaller councils. ALGA's submission can be found here. ALGA welcomes the Government's consideration of these submissions the outcomes contained in the final package that addressed many of these concerns.; Landfills are still covered under the Clean Energy Future package. Details can be found here.; ALGA will continue to work with the Government to help to develop advice to assist councils understand their obligations under the scheme as well as take effective action to reduce their carbon emissions in the future. The submission can be found here.
ALGA Submission on CPRS Legislation Package: Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) submission on the draft Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) legislation, urges the Government to make changes to the treatment of waste under the proposed CPRS.
Deacons CPRS Legislation Briefing Paper: A Council with operational control over a landfill that has emissions exceeding 25,000 tonnes of CO2-e per financial year will be a liable entity under the CPRS, and will be required to purchase and surrender eligible emissions units to the Authority by 15 December after the relevant financial year.
ALGA CARBON POLLUTION REDUCTION SCHEME: The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) is the peak national body for local government in Australia. ALGA is a Federation of state and territory local government associations and represents the interests of 569 councils across the country. Since 2001, membership has included the Government of the Australian Capital Territory (unique in Australia as it combines both state and local government functions).
Deacons Research Paper on National Greenhouse Measures: On 1 July 2008, the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting System (NGERS) commenced. The NGERS regulatory framework is underpinned by the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 (Cth) (NGER Act) as well as regulations and determinations made under the Act. It is intended to provide a national approach to the collection of information on greenhouse gas emissions and energy use and production.