Share your thoughts on our ambitious draft Climate Emergency Plan and be part of the climate solutions we develop, every step of the way.

This plan has been developed in partnership with our community. Last year, we asked you for your ideas on the future you want to see and what taking strong action looks like to you. Your feedback has helped inform the development of the draft Climate Emergency Plan 2024-2030.

We've heard your calls for stronger climate action and for a fairer and more equitable society, now we need you to tell us if you think we got the priorities right.

Together, we can create a safe and just future where people and nature thrive.

Our next Climate Emergency plan 2024-2030

Yarra's draft Climate Emergency Plan (2024-2030) builds on the existing Plan and ramps up the ambition.

In the plan, we've integrated 5 key perspectives which respond to current and emerging challenges across our community, natural environment, and economy:

• Centering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experiences and knowledges
• Fostering social justice and equity
• The rights of young people and future generations
• The rights of nature
• A commensurate climate emergency response.

These key perspectives inform the strategy, transformations, objectives and the action plan that will help us meet the ambitious targets set in the Climate Emergency Plan.

The 7 Transformations

We have identified 7 transformations across society that must happen for us reach our collective vision of a climate-safe, just, sustainable, and caring society.

Each transformation has objectives, indicators and 2030 targets to help guide our actions and make sure we are delivering a strong climate emergency response.

Between 2024 and 2030 we will deliver two three-year Action Plans, which will map the actions we plan to take to achieve these transformations. Read the Draft Climate Emergency Plan - Actions 2024-2027.

Tell us what you think

Take a look at the draft Climate Emergency Plan 2024-2030 and tell us if you think that the objectives chosen for each of the 7 transformations will help us deliver a bold and ambitious climate response.

• Read the draft Climate Emergency Plan 2024-2030 (PDF)
• View the Climate Emergency Plan Snapshot (PDF)
• See the draft Climate Emergency Plan - Actions 2024-2027 (PDF)

Complete the survey before 9am on Monday 6 May 2024 to have your say.

Why do we need a new Climate Emergency Plan?

We all want to live in a healthy and just community where everyone is supported, no matter their age, background, ability or circumstances. A world where people and nature thrive together, now and into the future.

But right now, we are living in a climate crisis, driven by burning fossil fuels, land clearing, and excessive waste.

Here in Yarra, we are seeing our unique plants and wildlife disappear before our eyes. People in our community are suffering the impacts of more frequent and intense heatwaves and storms – and those most at risk are bearing the brunt of it.

This moment of crisis is a moment for hope – from crisis comes transformation. The solutions are here and now, and every day we get bolder and more courageous and the number of people taking action grows.

What are we already doing to tackle the Climate Emergency?

Local councils have a unique role in addressing the climate emergency with their deep understanding of community needs, close relationships with community groups and local businesses and ability to influence planning and environmental outcomes.

Yarra was one of the first Councils to declare a climate emergency. Our declaration recognised that the planet’s climate is already too hot and that effort is needed across all levels of government, businesses, and communities to address the climate crisis.

Together with our community, we have achieved so much through our Climate Emergency Plan 2020-24.

Our community is reducing emissions by switching to renewable energy in droves, reducing waste and recycling by thousands of tonnes a year, moving to a more plant-based diet and standing up and speaking out for political action and climate justice.

Already we have:

But if we want to create a safe and just future where people and nature thrive, all levels of government must do more, and faster, to address it. Our community has told us time and time again that addressing the climate crisis is a top priority and that Council should do more.

About this consultation

Our current Climate Emergency Plan 2020-2024 is ready for a reboot. It's time to develop the next plan which will underpin our response to the climate crisis in the years to come and ramp up our ambition.

We know addressing the climate crisis is a top priority for the Yarra community and that you want us to do more. We want our community to be part of the climate solutions we develop, every step of the way.

What did we ask?

In late 2023 we asked you to provide feedback as by:

• sharing your ideas, stories, comments and suggestions about the future you want to see and what taking strong action looks like to you
• completing the online survey

We used your ideas, suggestions and contributions to develop a draft Climate Emergency Plan which we will share with the community for feedback in April-May 2024.

Who did we hear from?

• 24,000 people were reached via email, social media & face-to-face interactions.
• 138 people particularly vulnerable to climate impacts or working in partnership with people experiencing vulnerability were consulted.
• More than 2000 visits were made to this page.
• 203 contributions to the online survey and ideas board.

What we heard

We’ve heard from the Yarra community that you want us to be bold and ambitious in our response to the climate emergency. This was made clear through your submissions to the online survey, and in the range of insightful public comments on the ideas board below.

Through the consultation we gained a clearer understanding of community priority areas, which led to a reshaping of the 8 key themes into the 7 transformations that appear in the draft Climate Emergency Plan.

• Download the Community Engagement Report for Stage 1 Consultation (PDF)

Together, we can make sure that people and nature in Yarra thrive for generations to come.

Tell us your ideas!

We’ve heard from the Yarra community that you want us to be bold and ambitious in our response to the climate emergency. To help us get there we want you to tell us your ideas and suggestions.

We've identified these 8 themes to help guide us in our climate emergency response:

Think about these themes and tell us what sort of future you want to see. What does taking strong action look like to you?

Share your ideas, stories, comments and suggestions! Use the button below to post your story.

Please Note: This tool uses a moderation system so you may not see your response right away.

All responses received will be recorded and kept in line with our Privacy Policy. All responses, regardless of their presence in the public realm will be kept and considered as part of this consultation.

Some responses may not be published if there is specific wording used that may be deemed offensive to some people or the question contains personal or sensitive information. Responses that do not directly relate to the climate emergency will also not be published.

Any comments that fall outside of this topic should be directed to Council's traditional customer services channels.