A 'climate dashboard' will be developed to collect and communicate climate action information across the lower Great Southern, thanks to a $218,000 Lotterywest grant.
The climate dashboard, to be developed by the South Coast Alliance (SCA), will provide an online platform housing updates of climate change actions and related data, which will be available to local governments, communities and businesses.
It will provide a single point of contact and increase accessibility and understanding of climate mitigation and adaption initiatives in the region.
The dashboard will include information such as:
- council actions to reduce emissions from electricity, waste and the corporate fleet;
- overall emissions at community and regional level;
- community emissions mitigation including from agriculture, business and residential;
- climate adaptation actions including fire management in forests/state/national parks;
- local renewable energy generators; and
- biodiversity impacts and actions.
The dashboard will support the SCA's goal to achieve net zero emissions across the lower Great Southern by 2050, in line with the State's Climate Policy.
The Western Australian Climate Policy, launched in November 2020, outlines a plan to achieve a climate-resilient and prosperous low carbon future, with a focus on actions to reduce emissions by 2030 and to transition to net zero emissions by 2050.
It is supported by a number of initiatives, including the $500,000 Regional Climate Alliance (RCA) program, which encourages regional local governments to work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance climate resilience.
SCA was one of two alliances successful in the first round of the RCA program last July, receiving funding to support coordination of climate action planning and deliver projects that address climate change. The Lotterywest grant will further support collaborative climate action in the region.
SCA is a not-for-profit incorporated association with membership from the City of Albany and the Shires of Denmark, Jerramungup and Plantagenet.
As stated by Environment Minister Reece Whitby:
"The McGowan Government is committed to supporting regional local governments to respond to climate change.
"This climate dashboard will be an important tool in helping community members to understand key information about climate impacts and mitigation activities across the region."
As stated by Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens:
"The project will encourage and connect our community to sustainable action, improve their sense of connection and create a shared sense of purpose that supports the view that - when it comes to climate change - we are all in this together.
