Climate Innovation
At its meeting on 4 November 2019, Council formally recognised that we are in a state of climate emergency, requiring urgent action from all levels of government.
At the same meeting, Council also adopted a new Climate Change Action Plan to increase the effort to reduce emissions and to adapt to the impacts
of climate change.
Climate change is an existential challenge that will require a concerted, focussed and coordinated effort across all governments and the corporate world, supported by community. In the Mount Barker district and across the region, we have an opportunity to stimulate and progress innovative solutions and ideas that result in meaningful climate action.
The Climate Innovation priority direction is strongly connected across all priorities for our community, with exceptional benefits to our wellbeing, prosperity and the sustainability of our district.
What’s already happening
Climate Innovation work is already happening in the Mount Barker district, with examples including:
- implementation of the Climate Change Action Plan
- urban and rural greening (street tree plantings, canopy cover mapping, revegetation)
- the Resilient Hills and Coasts regional project
- solar arrays on Council buildings
- hybrid vehicle Council fleet
- wastewater recycling and reuse and water sensitive urban design
- reduced emissions from waste management, including organics recycling
- lower emissions, increasing uptake of renewable energy and work towards a carbon-neutral Council
- community biochar production in Macclesfield.
Priority partners
Business and other commercial operators, community organisations, social enterprises, government organisations as well as many informal local groups can work together to resource and realise the Climate Innovation priority.
These partners include:
- the Resilient Hills and Coasts climate group
- Cities Power Partnership
- ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability including the Global Covenant of Mayors
- corporate partners
- agricultural peak bodies (e.g. Apple and Pear Growers Association)
- renewable energy organisations, including commercial operators and community networks
- Adelaide Hills Region Waste Management Authority
- Regional Development Australia
- One Planet Living
- Hills Biodiversity.
If you have a project or partnership you would like to discuss with us, email connect@mountbarker.sa.gov.au.