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International and National Initiatives (continued)

State, territory and local government

Climate variability

Climate information highway

The Department of Natural Resources and Mines and the Department of Primary Industries in Queensland have conducted considerable research, development and extension work aimed at improving management for climatic variability.

The Departments have established an Australia-wide climatic database and a range of decision-support tools to help people better manage climatic risks and opportunities. Extensive information is available at the 'Long Paddock' Web site (Figure 10).

Climate change

Cities for Climate Protection Program

The Cities for Climate Protection Program helps local governments take action on greenhouse. This international program is undertaken in collaboration with the AGO.

The Cities for Climate Protection Program provides local governments with a framework to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by assisting them identify the emissions of their council and community, set a reduction target and develop and implement an action plan to reach that target. More information is provided at http://www.iclei.org/ccp-au/index.html  and the Regional air quality section.

Council actions might include reducing the energy used in local government facilities and capturing methane from landfill sites. Community actions initiated by local government could include incorporating an energy efficiency rating scheme into building approvals for new houses and commercial buildings, and incorporating public transport and bike lanes into urban planning.

Reducing energy consumption

The New South Wales Government established the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) in 1996 to reduce the level of greenhouse gas emissions in the State. SEDA works to achieve its objectives by promoting investment in the commercialisation and use of sustainable energy technologies.

SEDA concentrates on energy efficiency, renewable energy and cogeneration technologies. It seeks to identify funding opportunities for sustainable energy technologies and supports commercial or near-commercial enterprises.

The Victorian Government has created the Sustainable Energy Authority to contribute to reduction of greenhouse gases, and support and facilitate development and use of sustainable energy options to achieve environmental and economic benefits for the community.

The South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage has a policy aimed at lowering energy use and hence greenhouse gas emissions. The policy involves integrating greenhouse considerations into strategic planning.

Air quality

State governments in Australia are working to improve air quality through action plans, management plans and strategies (see Air quality action plans).

Some local governments have prepared plans. Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils, which includes 12 member councils, Newcastle City Council and Brisbane City Council have all produced air quality management plans (AQMPs).

Armidale City Council, Gold Coast City Council and Launceston City Council have produced plans designed to reduce air pollutants and improve air quality (see Air quality action plans and Number of local government associations that have programs to monitor and regulate regional air quality).

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