Local government

Here are some examples of ways your council can take climate action to plan for climate risks and build resilience.

As part of its Climate Change Response, the Queensland Government is partnering with the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) to work with councils to plan for and better manage climate risks and build resilience.

By partnering with councils and other local organisations to develop regional solutions, the Queensland Government is ensuring climate risks are considered in planning and development decisions across Queensland, and that local governments are well positioned to support climate action within their local communities.”

Climate action for councils

Here are some examples of ways your local council can reduce emissions, take action on climate change, help local communities build climate resilience and prepare for a low-emissions future:

  • Set an emissions reduction target to signal ambition and inspire action. Brisbane City Council is already certified carbon neutral, and some other local governments have set ambitious targets, such as Noosa Council’s ambition to reach zero net emissions by 2026.
  • Investigate renewable energy options. The Queensland Government has a state-wide target for 50% renewable energy by 2030, with multiple initiatives designed to reach this target. More information is available on the Energy page.
  • Buy carbon offsets for your council’s carbon emissions. The Emissions Reduction Fund supports councils and land managers to take practical steps to reduce Australia's greenhouse gas emissions while benefitting the economy and the environment. The Queensland Government’s Land Restoration Fund aims to expand carbon farming in the state by supporting land-sector projects with significant co-benefits, including benefits for First Nations communities.
  • Develop a waste management and resource recovery plan to monitor and reduce waste. Under Queensland’s Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy, the Queensland Government is supporting councils to improve waste collection and recycling services and raise awareness about local recycling options.
  • Set minimum energy efficiency standards for council-owned buildings and assets. The Green Building Council of Australia rates the sustainability of buildings and communities through Australia’s only national, voluntary, holistic rating system, known as Green Star. The Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA) provides resources and tools to enable sustainability outcomes, including Australia’s only comprehensive rating system for evaluating sustainability across the planning, design, construction and operation of all phases of infrastructure projects and assets.
  • Incorporate climate change risks into council decision-making, local planning schemes and developments. The Queensland Climate Resilient Councils (QCRC) program is helping councils to strengthen their internal decision-making capacities to improve climate resilience. As part of the QCRC program, the LGAQ has developed a draft Climate Risk Management Framework for Queensland Local Government. The QCoast2100 program helps coastal councils and communities prepare Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategies that address hazards including beach erosion, storm surges and other coastal hazards associated with climate change.
  • Develop a sustainable procurement policy to harness your council’s purchasing power to generate broader social and environmental benefits through the supply chain.
  • Encourage community participation in climate and environmental programs including citizen science projects.
  • The Clean Growth Choices program supported six regional communities to develop economic and social roadmaps for the future. It also provides valuable case studies and lessons for other Queensland communities wishing to develop their own transition plans.
  • Help build community resilience to climate hazards. Get Ready Queensland provides tools and resources to help build resilience to extreme weather and natural disasters. The Queensland Government has provided Climate risk management tools for households (PDF, 7MB) and small businesses (PDF, 10MB), as well as a wide range of climate science and data resources including high-resolution climate projection data, regional climate change impact summaries and Queensland’s latest greenhouse gas inventory.

Do you have a story to share?

We would love to hear about how Queenslanders are taking climate action in their own home, community or business.

Send your climate action story to climatechange@des.qld.gov.au and your project may be profiled on the Queensland Climate Action website.