| 08/11/2005
- Australian local governments lead the world when it
comes to taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
and water use, the Minister for the Environment and Heritage,
Senator Ian Campbell, said today.
Senator Campbell was speaking in Canberra at an awards
ceremony for local governments across Australia involved
in the Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Australia programme
and the Water Campaign.
"Of the 675 local governments participating in the
CCP programme internationally, Australia takes the lead
with around 30 per cent of participants being Australian
local governments," Senator Campbell said.
"CCP Australia now has an incredible 207 local government
participants representing almost 80 per cent of the Australian
population."
"Not only does the programme have great coverage,
it is delivering real results with the latest report on
council results showing strong abatement growth in 2004-05,
with councils reporting 1.55 million tonnes of carbon
dioxide-equivalent emission reductions, a 22 per cent
increase on 2003-04 figures."
CCP is an international programme delivered in Australia
in partnership with the Australian Greenhouse Office,
in the Department of the Environment and Heritage, and
the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives
(ICLEI).
Senator Campbell said CCP encourages and supports local
governments to initiate greenhouse gas abatement action
within their own operations and communities.
He said the success of CCP Australia is being replicated
by the Water Campaign.
"There are now 67 councils participating in the Water
Campaign implementing a range of actions to reduce water
consumption and improve water quality," Senator Campbell
said.
The Water Campaign is an international programme of ICLEI
delivered in Australia with funding from the Department
of the Environment and Heritage.
"Australian local governments should be proud of
their achievements in tackling such critical environmental
issues for Australia. It’s great to see so many local
governments improving not just the environment, but the
quality of life for their own communities."
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