ICLEI Oceania

It’s #WorldMigratoryBirdDay 🦜🏙️ Hear Kobie Brand’s full message to cities and learn more about the critical role cities play in preserving biodiversity and safeguarding migratory birds at https://lnkd.in/dTtHV9Dx By collaborating through initiatives like #JOURNEYSforLIFE, cities can support the work of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) by enhancing ecological connectivity, promoting habitat restoration & encouraging the consideration of migratory species in urban planning 🌆🦩 Is your city interested in collaborating for migratory species? Visit https://lnkd.in/eepW6Qay #WMBD2024

The 2024 Living Planet Report is out, and the message is clear: Nature is in crisis. There has been a 73% decline in the average size of monitored wildlife populations since 1970. These declines are an early warning indicator of increasing extinction risk and the potential loss of ecosystem health and resilience. As vital ecosystems near collapse, we are dangerously close to tipping points that could lead to irreversible impacts for both people and the planet. While time is running out, there’s still hope. We have the global agreements and solutions to set nature on the path to recovery by 2030, but current action falls far short of what’s needed. To truly make a difference, we must transform our energy, food, and finance systems, and restore nature in a fair and inclusive way. The stakes are too high to ignore. Explore the 2024 Living Planet Report and discover the steps we need to take—before it’s too late. Read the report: https://lnkd.in/eVH-CMtN #LPR2024 #LivingPlanetReport

REMINDER: Join the webinar - Tomorrow 19 September! 🌆 🌏 Translating global biodiversity frameworks and campaigns into local action. Register now: https://lnkd.in/dT48Qa4m

We are proud to have such a young dynamic leader in ICLEI Oceania's REXCOM and GEXCOM. Councillor HY William Chan is a great example of a young leader shaping a more sustainable urban future for all 🏙

The next 18 months will be crucial for city and region climate advocacy and as always GCOM are driving #CHAMP and local level engagement for #climateaction ... https://lnkd.in/eeqp4mGm

Don’t forget to purchase your ticket for the upcoming Climate Leaders Dinner on Tuesday 10th September (at the Better Futures Forum) for the launch of the 2024 Local Government Climate Review! A star-studded panel will also discuss the role of multi-level governance and multi-sectoral collaboration in achieving Australia's climate goals: - Kristy McBain MP, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories - Anna Reynolds, Lord Mayor of Hobart and ICLEI Oceania Regional Executive Committee Member - Andrew Barr, Chief Minister ACT - Michelle Isles, CEO, Climate and Health Alliance - Imogen Jubb, Climate Program Manager, Ironbark Sustainability and lead author of the 2024 Local Government Climate Review Join the Better Futures Australia alliance for networking, food and drinks, and take part in discussions on the importance of multi-level governance and multi-sectoral collaboration in achieving Australia's climate goals. Tickets here 👇 https://lnkd.in/gUA-sSsv And the program for the whole Better Futures Forum (10th-11th September) here 👇 https://lnkd.in/gp24w8Ja

Multi-level action is crucial to delivering on Australia’s climate goals ICLEI Oceania joined 1200 delegates at the annual National General Assembly of Local Government of Australia, held in Canberra during the first week of July. The Assembly was hosted by the Australian Local Government Association. On this occasion, ICLEI Oceania in partnership with the @Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy hosted a side meeting on creating a national coalition of multi-level climate action, in line with the UNFCCC COP28’s Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP) initiative. Australia signed up to the CHAMP initiative in Dubai last year. 🔗More about CHAMP here: https://lnkd.in/d_k4_gGk  During the meeting, participants learned about the opportunity to reduce Australia’s emissions by including urban priorities and actions in Australia’s soon-to-be updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) commitments through CHAMP. Mayors, Councillors and CEOs discussed the need to support the Federal Government through three high-level areas of collaboration: 🤝Work together to enable an inclusive climate policy framework that integrates all levels of government and which recognises and welcomes Local and Subnational Government Contributions in the Australian NDCs. 🏙️Establish an effective partnership between Local and Subnational Governments, their associations and networks and the Federal Government to deliver an Accord defining shared objectives for strengthening climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience and equitable energy access across all tiers of government. 📚Allocate and jointly seek appropriate resources to implement well-defined and informed climate action across Australia in line with the CHAMP ambition and the Paris Agreement to enable local governments to protect their communities and build back better. An online follow-up meeting will soon be held to refine the actions towards encouraging an ambitious and inclusive approach to updating Australia’s NDC. On behalf of Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) and ICLEI Oceania, thank you to GCoM, Amanda Stone (AGV), ICLEI Oceania REXCOM Chair for chairing the meeting, and to our informative speakers for their energy and enthusiasm on the topic - ALGA President Linda Scott (GAICD), City of Newcastle, Australia Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, ICLEI Oceania REXCOM member and City of Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds ICLEI Oceania REXCOM member and GCoM Board member.

 🏙 City of Melbourne Leading the Way Towards Net Zero ⚡ The City of Melbourne is powering ahead to deliver the benefits of renewable energy for residents and businesses – switching on the first Power Melbourne community battery. Power Melbourne’s innovative energy storage solution will accelerate the city’s transition to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030, helping Council achieve net-zero emissions by 2040 - while improving access to more affordable renewable energy for residents and businesses. The batteries will initially be linked to a Community Benefit Fund to support local renewable projects. The pilot phase of the project will run for about 18 months and will test Power Melbourne’s local energy storage model in partnership with Origin Energy - gathering insights to inform the expansion of the battery network and future retail offerings. With a combined capacity of 1.1MWh, the batteries will charge during the day when there is a higher proportion of renewable energy in the grid. Stored energy will then be released back into the grid when it's needed most – helping to support the transition to renewable energy. Krista Milne Tiffany Crawford Nicki Colls https://lnkd.in/dtsUdjQN

ANNOUNCING | 8th Summit for Subnational Governments & Cities 🌱 🏙 This Summit, an official parallel event to UN Biodiversity #COP16, will take place on 26 October 2024 in the Blue Zone at the CBD COP in Cali, and is part of a 3-day program from the 25-27 October. #ForNature 💚 #BiodiversityPlan Announced by ICLEI and the City of Cali at the #ICLEIWorldCongress in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the Summit will continue a proud tradition, being the 8th such event since the first Summit convened 14 years ago. Over the past two decades, ICLEI, through its Cities Biodiversity Center (CBC), has collaborated closely with the United Nations Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Biodiversity COP host countries and cities, and its key partners, such as Regions4 and UN Environment Programme, to elevate the voice of local and subnational governments at the Biodiversity Conference of the Parties (COP), ensuring that strong action is taken to create vibrant cities and regions, where people and biodiversity can thrive. This collaboration has not only resulted in global summits for the local and subnational government constituency, as official parallel events at the COPs, but also a seat and voice in the negotiations. This has led to the adoption of more than 20 Decisions recognizing cities and regions contributions to the CBD and global biodiversity targets, including a dedicated Decision providing for a multilevel governance mechanism and plan of action on engaging subnational governments and cities. In announcing Cali as COP host city, the President of Colombia declared that this COP would be the COP of the people and of making peace with nature. Cali is located in one of the most megadiverse regions globally. Making peace with nature, justice, equity and addressing social and economic benefits of biodiversity are top priorities for Cali. Regional and city governments are best placed to understand and act upon the opportunities and constraints for systemic change. The leadership and active participation of all subnational governments are vital in this transformative journey. We look forward to welcoming you in Cali! 

ICLEI World Congress: Nurturing community & planetary wellbeing opening remarks from Kobie Brand, ICLEI Deputy-Secretary General & ICLEI Africa Regional Director The interconnected and interdependent connection between human health and a healthy environment is clear. It is even more evident as the world grapples with the triple planetary crisis. An unhealthy environment can result in a myriad of significant negative health outcomes for humans, as we recently experienced with the COVID-19 pandemic. We need to work with nature, not against it, if this planet and our future generations are to thrive or even survive. Dismantling the barriers between conservation, pollution, water, food systems and public health should be encouraged to attain healthier ecosystems and healthier people. This is a pivotal moment to act collectively, realising the potential of nature-based solutions (NbS) in nurturing a planet that sustains life and health for people and planet, for the future. Examples of NbS, such as restoring and maintaining mangroves and wetlands, reforestation, marine protection, sustainable agriculture, amongst others, can support improved health outcomes, such as the reduction of diseases, better nutritional health, food and water security, physical activity promotion, and improved mental health. We need to integrate urban ecosystems with public health planning. How can we do this? Through green and blue spaces that aid in air purification but also promote physical activity and mental wellbeing, offering opportunities for recreation, stress reduction, and fostering social connections, crucial in urban settings where access to nature is limited. Blue spaces like wetlands are also crucial for the regulation of water quality and additionally play a key role in flood resilience and disease prevention. Access the full speech below https://lnkd.in/dgG2a-bd