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COP26 is being described as the most crucial climate conference this decade, some say this century. Australia is encountering unprecedented international pressure to strengthen its climate commitments. For the first time, Australia’s traditional allies and closest security partners, as well as our neighbours, are all calling for Australia to lift its 2030 emissions reduction target. Will our Prime Minister’s pledge to achieve net zero by 2050 be sufficient given his refusal to boost our 2030 emissions reduction target? Time will tell … let’s hope (and pray) for meaningful science-based commitments from all the world’s leaders. If we are to protect our planet, there is no more time to waste. See links below for ways to engage with COP events or receive updates.
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I’d like to personally invite all members and supporters to attend our 2021 Annual General Meeting and Member Briefing on Thursday 18 November at 7pm. It’s been an amazing roller coaster year and we’d like to share highlights and discuss our evolution. If you’re thinking it’s time to put your hand up then please contact me on 0425 802 116 to discuss the volunteer opportunities on our committee, in operations or taskforce groups.
Regards
Vicki Perrett, President
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When: Wed 3 Nov, 6.30-8.00pm
Where: online via Zoom - free
In our final Clever Living Seminar for 2021, Mark Delaney and his son Tom will recount their experiences and challenge us to rethink our lifestyles in the light of escalating global warming. Their book, Low Carbon and Loving It explains the enjoyment of possession-free living. More info / book
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When: Wed 17 Nov at 3pm and 7pm
Where: online via Zoom - free RSVP here
Join this friendly online group and you’ll soon be writing impactful letters! See advocacy resources at Climate for Change or letter writing advice on the GRNG website.
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When: Thurs 18 Nov, 7.00-8.00pm
Where: online via Zoom - free
RSVP: Please register in advance so we can send you the AGM info pack. More info / register
Members and supporters are invited to attend our 2021 AGM to receive reports and elect a new committee. We’re combining the AGM with a Member Briefing about recent achievements and current projects, plus we’d like to introduce our new staff and discuss some organisational changes.
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Do you:
- Run a small business in the Barwon South West?
- Care about sustainability and the environment?
If yes, we want to collaborate with YOU! To find out more email megan@geelongsustainability.org.au
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Did you miss Sustainable House Day 2021? It's not too late, all the resources, video house tours and seminar recordings are available now for you to access at your convenience. More info / Access here
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We’re recruiting a part-time officer for an exciting new project ~ the Geelong Circular Living Challenge. GS in partnership with Circular Economy Victoria has been funded by Sustainability Victoria's Recycling Victoria Communities Fund to develop and deliver the Challenge next year. Applications close 5pm, Sunday 14th November. More info / PD
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GS set the Leaders for Geelong Project Team the challenge to devise a roadmap to zero carbon for Geelong. They've developed a survey to better understand existing knowledge and community engagement on sustainability. Please spare them 5 minutes and complete their survey.
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Our virtual SHD2021 weekend was very successful.
- Registrations were up 26% on last year
- An estimated 1125 people attended seminars across the weekend
- Almost 60% of participants said they attended because the event was online
- Over 96% of attendees rated the program as excellent or good
- Best of all, 92% of people said they’d engage in more sustainable practices as a result of the program
In addition, the preview videos spread our messages far and wide across social media. The main video reached 31,000 people, and the 4 house preview videos reached almost 24,000 people. GS greatly appreciates the support of CoGG, sponsors, homeowners, subject matter experts, subcontractors and our wonderful volunteers.
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If you missed this informative briefing last month, you can now watch the recording at your convenience. Projects discussed included: *Water for Our Future, *Bellarine Basin rehabilitation, *Porronggitj Karrong and Aqueduct, *North West Growth Corridor and integrated water management and *Renewable Organics Network. Register for updates and opportunities to give feedback at: www.yoursay.barwonwater.vic.gov.au.
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Billed as the last best chance to keep global warming to 1.5C, COP26 kicks off tomorrow and runs for two weeks. 197 heads of states and thousands of negotiators, businesses, and NGOs will gather in Glasgow to talk about how the global community must reduce CO2 emissions, strengthen adaptation and resilience, find innovative solutions, and scale up finance and support.
Key links: COP26 official website ~ COP26 overview schedule ~ Watch live (and highlights) ~ COP26 Facebook ~ COP26 Twitter ~ We Don't Have Time - COP Backdoor ~ ABC News story
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SV2030 is Sustainability Victoria new draft strategy for 2021-2030. Its purpose is to accelerate Victoria’s transition to a circular, climate resilient clean economy. Now that's target worth supporting! Consultation closes 17 Nov.
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Barwon South West Waste and Resource Recovery Group (BSWWRRG), in partnership with Camperdown and District Community House have produced a series of 9 online workshops sharing practical, household advice and food waste reduction skills. Registration is free and open until 30 November. More info
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Local cycling group, the Bellarine Belles were inspired by Jessie Stevens, a 16yo girl who decided to ride 917km from her home town in Devon in SW England to Glasgow to represent young people at COP. So they rode along with her each day of her journey from October 20-31. #Ride2COP26 #ClimateActionNow More info
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Jessie Stevens, young climate worrier
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Bellarine Belles, riding along with Jessie
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- 36 climate groups representing 1.3m people endorsed Zali’s Climate Change Bill calling for legislated targets and independent oversight
- Over 1000 letters letters arrived in Canberra asking for real climate action
- Unfortunately the pandemic restricted the planned campaign
- On 26 Oct, Scott Morrison presented the Coalition’s net zero action ‘plan’ to the media. His so-called “Australian Way” fails to legislate any targets.
- On 27 Oct, the Government blocked debate of the Climate Change Bill
- The people will have their opportunity to be heard soon! More info
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The European Union has already announced a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). If South Korea, China and the G7 follow the EU in introducing CBAMs, Queensland could lose more than 50,000 jobs, while in NSW around 20,000 jobs would be at risk. Under this scenario, Queensland is projected to lose more than $10b in Gross State Product, and NSW more than $5b.
Failing to rapidly cut emissions this decade is forecast to lead to exponential increases in the costs of climate change over multiple generations. One estimate puts economic losses of failing to act at A$129b for Australia and A$24 trillion globally per year by 2100. Download the report.
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Thanks SV for this great infographic, which shows how Victoria is closing the gaps to circularity through transformative system-wide incentives across all materials. Metals, masonry, rubber and now glass have excellent recycling rates. However plastics and textiles are still woeful.
Textiles diversion from landfill is a huge economic and environmental opportunity. Geelong was once the centre of the textile industry. Could we become the national textile recycling hub?
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Sustainable Cities & Communities
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- Do you live in a rental property?
- Are you affected by summer heat?
- Like to contribute to a citizen science research project?
Better Renting AU is seeking renters who are willing to be research volunteers to help inform minimum energy efficiency standards for rentals. Applications close Friday 5 November. More info / apply
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Retrofitting houses is often difficult and expensive. Whereas making them net zero during the build adds less than 2% to upfront costs but delivers long lasting savings. Net Zero Homes Now is calling on state and territory governments to mandate net zero emissions in the National Construction Code. Sign their petition to the Building Ministers Meeting ~ Follow them on Facebook ~ Visit their website.
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Knowledge is powerful! So GS is delighted to promote the Powerpal smart energy monitor. The nifty little device attaches to your smart meter and gives you real-time energy consumption data via a phone app. Register for one today!
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Australia needs to invest $165 billion in clean-energy capacity and upgrades to electricity grid infrastructure by 2030 if the country is to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, according to a new study by global engineering design and consulting group, Arcadis. More info
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How households are ditching gas, slashing bills and going net zero
Tim Forcey, the founder of the MEEH group and a trained engineer and energy adviser says, draughty doors and poorly insulated roofs, walls and floors add to the cost of heating and cooling and multiply the dangers of extreme temperatures. Most people join the MEEH Facebook group, which now has over 41K members to make their homes more comfortable. He thinks we can tighten our homes by a factor of 10 when it comes to leakiness. More info ~ MEEH Facebook
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A selection of important reports and stories over the last month.
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International news
Climate justice
ABC News ~ Vanuatu asks International Court of Justice to weigh in on right to be protected from climate change - link
Vanuatu is asking the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to issue an opinion on present and future generations' right to be protected from climate change.
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Enviro philanthropy & good news
Patrick Greenfield, The Guardian ~ Record $5bn donation to protect nature could herald new green era of giving - link
Philanthropists pledge to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030, as the planet’s health climbs the charity agenda.
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Traffic ~ Tech Companies Block More than 11.6 Million Transactions for Endangered Wildlife Online - link
The Coalition to End Wildlife Trafficking Online has removed or blocked millions of listings for live tigers, reptiles, primates, birds and related products.
Antony Sguazzin, Bloomberg Green ~ Chocolatier Protecting Madagascar’s Lemurs Eyes Carbon Credits - link
Sustainable chocolate company, Beyond Good, is looking to use carbon credits to fund the reforestation of lemur habitats.
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National news
Climate targets
Katharine Murphy, The Guardian ~ Scott Morrison refuses to release net zero 2050 modelling amid condemnation of climate policy - link
Morrison has committed Australia to a net zero by 2050 but he hasn’t announced any new policies or legislation to achieve it. He’s also refused to update the 2030 emissions reduction target of 26-28% of 2005 levels – despite this being the focus of the Glasgow summit – instead he’s releasing updated projections showing we should reduce emissions by 30-35% by 2030. Largely thanks to the States.
Matthew Doran, ABC News ~ Business Council of Australia calls for ambitious short-term carbon emissions reduction target - link
A new BCA report predicts an $890 billion boost to economic activity if we embrace an emissions reduction target of 46-50% by 2030 and the creation of 195,000 jobs over the next five decades - particularly in regional areas. This is a big shift as previously they opposed ambitious reductions targets.
Katharine Murphy, The Guardian ~ Scott Morrison’s nerves showed as he squibbed net zero target and staged a climate farce - link
In Murphy’s opinion piece, she claims “the Coalition’s new roadmap for achieving net zero is, depressingly, devoid of substance. The shift at present is rhetorical. The Coalition currently doesn’t have the suite of policies to actually deliver what Australia will pledge to do in Glasgow.”
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Energy efficiency
Andy Park, ABC News ~ Rewiring Australian households could save them up to $6,000 a year, research finds - link
American-Australian engineer Dr Saul Griffith mapped the American energy system for the US Dept of Energy. He advocates for rapid, mass-scale household electrification, through the organisation Rewiring America. His new work focuses on "Rewiring Australia" and is co-authored by think-tank, The Australia Institute.
Climate Council ~ The Facts From Glorified Tents To Renewable Powerhouses: Australia’s Opportunity For Home Energy Efficiency - link
GS totally agrees - as we discovered through our Climate Safe Rooms project, which we showcased in SHD2021 here.
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Renewable energy news
Phoebe Hosier, ABC News ~ New $1 billion-plus project in Queensland to double world's green hydrogen production capacity - link
Mining billionaire, Andrew Forrest says Fortescue Future Industries will build the world's largest green energy hydrogen manufacturing facility near Gladstone in Central Queensland. Go Twiggy! Yeah QLD, the future jobs are green!
Giles Parkinson, Renew Economy ~ “Sunshine for sale:” NT plans massive hubs to support solar, battery and hydrogen - link
To achieve their target of 50% renewables by 2030, the NT government plans to create a massive renewable hydrogen zone and a rewewable energy hub.
Giles Parkinson, Renew Economy ~ Australian renewables surge to 35.4 pct market share in September - link
The Australian electricity grid hit a new record high for the share of renewables at 35.4% in September, lifting the 12-month average over 30% for the first time.
Giles Parkinson, Renew Economy ~ Rio Tinto plans massive 7GW wind and solar for smelters and iron ore mines - link
These new projects will slash the mining giant’s scope 1 and scope 2 emissions by half by 2030.
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