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."