Local Government and Climate Change

Chris Johansen

All of the relevant measurements – global temperatures, melting ice sheets and glaciers, rising sea levels, coral bleaching, changing weather patterns, etc. ‒ indicate that climate change is accelerating. Australia is one the countries most likely to be adversely affected but, in spite of the blatant evidence, federal and state governments remain reluctant to address the problem. When the federal Labor government of 2007-13, with the prompting of The Greens, tentatively attempted to do something – e.g. carbon tax, ARENA, CEFC – the undoing of those measures became the preoccupation of the incoming Coalition government. Of course, in Australia opposition to action on climate change is buoyed by the influential fossil fuel-cum-mining lobby, their unequivocal support by the conservative press and a widespread conservative perception that 'humans cannot possibly change the climate.

For hitherto unconcerned citizens, however, effects of climate change are likely to become more noticeable at a local level, if not the case already – worsening heat waves, declining and more erratic rainfall, more intense storms, changed marine ecology, etc. First responders to these events are necessarily local governments and their agencies. Thus, it is relevant to examine how local governments are addressing climate change, and could possibly do so, while higher levels of government are dragging their feet. The science tells us that foot dragging time has long since passed if we are to have any chance of staying within the upper limit of 1.5-2.0 °C global temperature rise agreed to in the Paris Agreement. However, latest scientific assessment concludes that even this limit is on the verge of runaway climate catastrophe.

There are two broad actions that local governments can take in relation to climate change – mitigation and adaptation. Of course, any change by individuals or governments from prior behaviour is largely influenced by economics, no matter how desirable that change may be perceived as. In the case of mitigation the economic winds are increasingly favouring that change. Costs of renewable energy are decreasing compared to continuing with fossil fuel energy. There is an increasing desire to maximize vegetation in human habitats for aesthetic reasons at least, although this has the added benefit of sequestering carbon dioxide. That is, mitigation is looking to be increasingly win-win. Not so straight forward however for adaptation as action in this regard depends on perceptions of increasing risk and an understanding of the principles of insurance.

Indeed, around the world it is common for local government to be leading the way on action on climate change, in comparison to higher levels of government. For example, in the USA the recent US Conference of Mayors, representing 1,408 cities, endorsed their ongoing and enhanced initiatives in converting to renewable energy. They pledged to oppose the Trump Administrations attempts to roll back climate change action, stay within the Paris Agreement and to support cities establishing a community-wide target of 100 percent clean, renewable energy by 2035. Some examples of local government initiatives in Australia, which are way ahead of any federal or state government initiatives, are referred to below.

The Climate Council (http://www.climatecouncil.org.au/cpp-report) and Beyond Zero Emissions (http://bze.org.au/zero-carbon-communities/) have recently documented what local councils in Australia are doing and could do to significantly contribute to a global effort in mitigating climate change and to sensibly prepare for the consequences of climate change already underway. Some examples of their suggestions on mitigation and adaptation particularly relevant to local councils in Western Australia are summarized below.

Climate change mitigation measures that can be implemented at local government level would include:

Energy

• Ensure that council buildings and facilities are powered by locally produced renewable energy to the extent possible, primarily through installation of solar panels and, if feasible, wind turbines. Battery technology is now rapidly becoming feasible and affordable such that 100% self-reliance for electricity at a local level can become a reality.
• Encourage the development of microgrids, self-reliant on locally generated renewable energy.
• For electricity required from a regional grid, insist on maximum 'green energy input. That is, local councils can put demand pressure on existing regional grids to convert to renewable sources.
• Facilitate installation of solar panels on dwellings and businesses by providing information and incentives, adjusting planning requirements, arranging capital or loans, and bulk buying to reduce costs.
• Provide advice and encouragement for building insulation and implement it for council buildings at least. This can include light-coloured reflective roofs, double glazing, insulating curtains, external shades, wall and roof insulation, sealing of internal/external gaps (e.g. under doors), etc.
• Insist on high efficiency lighting, such as LED (light emitting diode), for all council property and encourage its more widespread use.
• Encourage phase-out of gas by converting to solar water heating, induction heating for cooking and reverse cycle air conditioning for space heating.
• Incentivise installation of grid level and behind-the-meter demand monitoring systems to rationalize electricity use.
• Encourage, instruct on and incentivize energy efficiency at household, small business and industrial levels.

Transport

• Promote use of electric road vehicles (cars, trucks, buses, cycles) by providing adequate public recharging facilities.
• Limit entry of large petrol and diesel burning vehicles into built-up areas to certain times.
• Encourage optimum development of electrified light and heavy rail for passenger and freight transport. If this is the responsibility of higher level government authorities then local councils should actively lobby those authorities for their installation.
• Maximize cycle use by ensuring adequate and safe bikeways, to reduce reliance on motorized transport. Of course, this would also have additional public health benefits, leading to reduced public health costs.

Waste Management

• Minimize release of methane, a highly potent greenhouse gas, from landfill by establishing comprehensive waste cycling facilities, particularly to convert organic waste into compost. An operating example of this is the Southern Metropolitan Regional Council waste management facilities in Canning Vale.
• Encourage and facilitate composting of organic waste at household level.

Environmental measures

• Minimize urban heat island effects through judicious urban planning, using reflective construction materials and maximizing vegetation (e.g. parkland, roadside trees).
• Maximizing vegetation will also contribute to sequestration of carbon dioxide, the major culprit in global warming.

If a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis is done for each of the above measures for even a medium term (e.g. 5-10 years) then it is likely that they would come out superior when compared to continuing with the status quo. This is due to the recent rapid technological advances and declining costs of renewable energy, energy storage (e.g. battery technology), electricity demand management systems and electric vehicles. The main disincentive, however, is rounding up the capital to invest in innovation likely to be profitable in the medium term, let alone contributing to global mitigation of climate change.

The advance of climate change is clearly visible now in WA, particularly with respect to the declining winter rainfall, trends of rising temperatures, enhanced bushfire risks, etc. Adaptation to the current increased risks, and planning for future likely increasing adverse effects, falls largely in the realm of local government. The Climate Council Report on 'Tracking local government progress on climate change outlines the effects of climate change on human habitats in Australia and what local governments are doing about them. Following are some of the effects more specific to WA:

• Declining rainfall in southern WA, due to the gradual southerly movement of the Southern Ocean winter weather systems, necessitates increased attention of local governments, and indeed everyone, to water use efficiency. Local councils can play a role in encouraging less water use per person, water storage from roofs, water-efficient gardens, using local runoff water for parks and gardens and aquifer recharge, etc.
• Provision of measures to protect the elderly and vulnerable from likely extended and more intense summer heatwaves. This would include ensuring adequately insulated and air-conditioned dwellings for the vulnerable, ensuring adequate emergency medical services during heat waves, minimizing possibility of blackouts during heatwaves (which is now more feasible with renewable energy and demand management systems) and minimizing urban heat island effects.
• Adequate preparation for inevitable increased bushfire risk during more intense heatwaves.
• Proofing of buildings and infrastructure against likely increased intensity of storms. This would not be so likely from winter storms, as winter weather systems move south, but from summer cyclonic storms, which are also moving south and thus increasingly likely to reach the Perth region.
• Planning to deal with already happening and inevitable further sea level rise. Lynn MacLaren had introduced legislation in this regard, but it was rejected. Local councils on the coast or otherwise near sea level need to be increasingly conscious of land use planning measures due to rising sea levels per se, salt water intrusion into groundwater and magnification of ocean storm damage due to increased sea level.

The extent of adaptation measures to these increasingly apparent climate change effects depends on the degree to which responsible bodies, local government councils in this case, are willing to invest in insurance against the risk of these adverse events. By insurance I mean willingness to pay for enhanced fire and emergency medical services, storm-proofing, protection of existing infrastructure near sea level, etc. For local councils it becomes a balance between how seriously they take climate change and the risk of constituent backlash if they are perceived as having not taken sufficient disaster prevention measures.

The Climate Council and BZE reports highlight many examples of local government initiatives in Australia in addressing climate change. For example, the cities of Melbourne and Adelaide have targets of zero net emissions (i.e. being carbon neutral) by 2020 and Canberra intends to be powered by 100% renewable energy by that year – and they are on track for those targets. A WA example is that of the Green Town Denmark Walpole Project, instigated by these towns being on the edge of the South West Integrated System (SWIS) electricity grid and being subject to blackouts. It evolved from the Denmark Community Windfarm Project, which began generating in 2013 after a long development period, and now involves a wide range of measures aimed at energy efficiency and climate change mitigation. Another WA example is the City of Cockburn which has installed over 1,000 solar panels across 13 community buildings since 2009, invested in a geothermal system for aquatic and sporting facilities and is supporting the use of solar powered electric vehicles by providing charging stations.

The BZE Report details measures to enhance local government efforts in addressing climate change, to the extent of achieving zero net emissions status within ten years. Irrespective of the level of current local government involvement they suggest the necessity of establishing a core team around which a Zero Carbon Community can form. This team would have the role of community engagement and liaison with the local council to inform them of the technicalities involved, possible pathways, potential benefits, and ensure their commitment. The next step is to specify an emissions reduction target applicable for the jurisdiction (e.g. zero net emissions by 2030). Then it is necessary to quantify the emissions profile of the local government jurisdiction, so as to understand where the greatest emissions reductions are possible. Successful examples of climate action in similar jurisdictions elsewhere can be identified to guide strategy development. With this background, a strategic plan can be formulated, cost-benefit-payback time analyses done, investment funds identified, and implementation can proceed in project mode. It is important to establish mode of collaboration with other organisations, businesses or groups as it needs to be a community-wide effort. Ongoing community interaction is essential to maintain support for the initiative and report on the progress being made.

Several motivational initiatives have recently sprung up to encourage and support action on climate change at local government level. One is the Climate Councils Cities Power Partnership (CPP) which engages with shires, towns and cities, via local councils, throughout Australia and provides incentives for these councils to increase renewable energy and energy efficiency, improve transport and working together. Another is BZEs Zero Carbon Communities program which lays out detailed steps in involving local governments in moving forward on climate action. The WA Local Government Association (WALGA) is proactive in encouraging local government to consider and act upon climate change mitigation and adaptation. It has comprehensive guidelines and facilitates projects with local councils in this regard.

In view of the encouraging attitudes and steps towards climate change action being taken at the local government level, one could be forgiven for thinking that local and (state + federal) governments live in different worlds with respect to climate change. We can only hope that the message permeates up to higher government levels before too long.

Photo credit: https://cff2.earth.com/uploads/2016/09/26141929/global-warming-climate-c...