The Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance, Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration and the City of Greater Bendigo are holding a Regional Zero Emissions Forum from 10am to 5pm on Thursday March 16 at the Castlemaine Town Hall to explore opportunities to accelerate emission reductions in the region.
Speakers include Richard Denniss from the Australia Institute as well as representatives from Renew, the Clean Energy Council, SEA Electric, Cassinia Environmental, Federation University and a range of other organisations associated with climate action and the clean energy transition.
City of Greater Bendigo Manager Climate Change and Environment Michelle Wyatt said the Regional Zero Emissions Forum aims to bring together local government, community, and business representatives from across the Loddon Campaspe, Mallee, and Grampians regions to explore emerging opportunities for the region to accelerate progress towards our collective emissions reduction goals.
"Scientists have told us we need to accelerate the rate of emission reductions if we are to have any hope of limiting global warming. That means taking responsibility regionally as well as at a state, national and international level," Ms Wyatt said.
"We know local governments, businesses and community organisations are setting emissions targets within their own organisations. We can amplify that impact by working together. This forum will explore what's possible for our region and how we can get there."
Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance Executive Officer Annika Kearton said the forum will be relevant to anyone interested in exploring the pathway to zero net emissions for the Loddon Campaspe, Mallee and Grampians regions including staff from local government, government departments and agencies, sustainability groups, community organisations, businesses and non-government organisations.
"The forum is important because it will help raise the profile of climate action in the region and identify priority emission reduction projects and advocacy initiatives which we can work on together," Ms Kearton said.
"The forum will include keynote speakers and four panel discussions focusing on achieving an equitable clean energy transition for households and small businesses, pathways to zero emissions for transport and agriculture and the role, opportunities, and limitations of local carbon offsets in the transition."
The initiative is being funded by Regional Development Victoria and is being delivered by the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance and the City of Greater Bendigo, through the Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration.
