PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT, PROTECT OUR FUTURE
Canberra is different to the rest of the country. We’re progressive, we look after each other, and we take action on the issues that matter.
As the bush capital of Australia, we have a responsibility to lead the nation in fighting climate change and protecting our natural environment.
Working hand in hand with First Nations people, the ACT Greens have a plan to protect where we live, the water we drink, and our native ecosystems.
JUMP TO: People Powered Sustainability | Shaping a Circular Economy
PEOPLE POWERED SUSTAINABILITY
Community-led environmental volunteers are the lifeblood of the ACT’s efforts to protect, preserve and enhance the health of our beautiful environment.
As native habitats are torn up by climate change and construction on the outskirts of Canberra, the precious wildlife that rely on these habitats are being pushed to extinction.
Now more than ever, we need to give certainty to our environmental volunteers and recognise the crucial role they play in battling the environmental impacts of the climate crisis.
THE ACT GREENS WILL:
- Increase and secure long-term funding for environment groups to do their vital work
- Increase funding for the ACT’s Environmental Grants program and create a larger, long-term grant stream, enabling more ambitious and long-term conservation projects
- Open a first of its kind Sustainability Hub, which will provide a purpose-built and affordable home for many community organisations, including local environmental champions, educators, artists and enterprises
- Establish a new “Gardens for Wildlife” program that will support Canberrans to create wildlife friendly gardens
- Create an “Adopt a Patch” program to allow local neighbourhoods to adopt their local laneway, verges or similar public spaces to spruce them up as native habitatEstablish a new native plant nursery to provide stock for restoration projects, new employment, and free plants to Canberrans
Shaping a Circular Economy
Canberrans want to do the right thing by the planet. We get that endless consumption on a finite planet doesn’t work.
But it isn’t always easy. The cost of living pushes you to buy disposable things, the collapse of soft-plastic recycling forces you to chuck supermarket packaging in the bin, and not everyone has time or space to do their own composting.
The system puts all the blame and guilt on individuals. That’s why the Greens want to change the system and make it easier for people to live in a way that cares for our planet.
THE ACT GREENS WILL:
- Implement citywide food waste recycling by 2026
- Recycle all supermarket packaging by 2028
- Cut the damage of fast fashion by making manufacturers responsible for clothing waste
- Ensure end-of-life recycling is considered in any new government purchase of solar panels, EVs and large batteries
- Support circular economy businesses through ACT Government programs and a new grant scheme
- Improve government transparency around waste and recycling
- Renew our ban on incineration and oppose an incinerator in our region