Carbon Neutral Towns

The Gippsland Climate Change Network believes that climate change will have major impacts on the Gippsland’s social, economic and environmental well being. The Network believes that the region should to take steps to:

1. adapt to the inevitable climate change impacts which will result from carbon dioxide already emitted to the atmosphere; and
   
2. reduce its carbon dioxide emissions over time.
   

The objective of this project is to encourage small towns in the region to consider reducing their CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions to zero.

Some communities within Gippsland are implementing climate change initiatives in their own way and the Gippsland Climate Change Network believes we should support and grow these initiatives. When towns are provided with the opportunity to consider the range of issues associated with reduces emissions they may be more inclined to take active steps to reduce those emissions. The sub-committee believes that by holding a "Hypothetical" in a local town will be a good first step in encouraging a local community to consider becoming carbon neutral.

Gippsland Education for Sustainability Network

The aim of this group is to help prepare the Gippsland Community for the environmental challenges ahead by improving the level and quality of education for sustainability. If we gain broad agreement on a single regional strategy which encourages coordinated approaches then this will improve:

• use of resources and reduce duplication
  
• information sharing
  
• mutual support eg across sectors
  
• planning
  
• system and community growth
  
• links between sectors
  

Eco-Hub

This would be a regional facilitating centre to deliver mechanisms for a safe climate through sustainability projects. The Eco-Hub would provide a clearing house for regional safe climate action and is resourced through a series of action oriented roundtables supported by all regional stakeholders. Programs, services and information are designed to deliver comprehensive environmental, social, cultural and economic benefits and cover energy, water, waste, biodiversity, climate change, community, health, and other relevant sustainability indicators. Delivery mechanisms include training programs, consulting services, education resource centre, events, conferences, and referral services, amongst others.

A whole of community approach will enable business, government, industry and communities to work together to stimulate government policy and program development. The Eco-Hub will provide significant investment stimulus and sustainable economic opportunities through innovative research and development sponsored by climate leadership roundtables. Whole of community climate education and engagement leading to effective action is currently being investigated. This project is being led by TRY Youth, and involves Powerworks.