Business, community join forces to tackle climate change in Greater Bendigo by 2030!

Local businesses, community organisations, schools and households are joining together to launch the Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration at 7pm Tuesday June 14 at the Bendigo Regional Tennis Centre and everyone is invited to attend.

The launch of the Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration will kick off a year of climate action and planning to set Greater Bendigo on the path to becoming a world leading zero-emitting city.

Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf will launch the collaboration. Filmmaker and environmentalist Damon Gameau and economist Nicki Hutley from the Climate Council will set the scene and describe the opportunities ahead for the area as it switches to an economy based on low to no emissions.

Cr Metcalf said the goal is to plot the way to zero globe-warming emissions by 2030.  

“It’s big and audacious and that’s exactly what science tells us we need to do,” Cr Metcalf said.

“Our community has told us they want to take up the opportunities that can be realised by doing our bit on reducing emissions. Many of us are already doing so much but it’s only by working together that we will have the impact that’s needed. 

“Paris is taking cars out of the city and prioritising cycling and pedestrian opportunities. Other cities are overhauling buildings so they make energy from the sun and private enterprise is making incredible advances in waste-reducing manufacturing. Anything is possible if we are prepared to work together.”     

“The launch of the Collaboration is free to attend and open to everybody. You can you’re your free ticket at https://events.humanitix.com/greater-bendigo-climate-collaboration-launch-coming-together-for-climate

“I encourage everyone to bring their ideas, enthusiasm and commitment to change and come and join us on this great journey. Together we can do this.”

In its first year the Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration will focus on learning and planning together to set a path towards 2030. It will:

• Run forums examining how the city can transition to zero emissions in energy, transport, buildings and food systems, and examine how to further boost nature and natural ecosystems and develop a circular economy. (A circular economy is one which looks to cut waste through waste-conscious manufacturing.)
• Bring businesses, community organisations, households and schools together to amplify their work on cutting emissions and to support and build city collective scale climate projects.
• Run forums across the Loddon Campaspe Region to develop a regional zero emissions roadmap made up of climate projects we can advocate for and undertake together.
• Culminate in a Greater Bendigo Climate Summit in May 2023 which will launch a Greater Bendigo Zero Emissions Plan that puts us all on the path to zero emissions by 2030.

The Collaboration is being led and hosted by the City of Greater Bendigo and financed by some of the City’s leading businesses, community organisations, government services and others.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited Managing Director Marnie Baker said the bank supports the transition to net zero emissions. 

“We are demonstrating this commitment as a business through our actions, whether that be through our 5-star energy rated head office the Bendigo Centre and our Green Loans which reward customers for energy efficient or renewable purchases,” Ms Baker said.

“We’re proud to be a founding partner of the Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration and look forward to supporting further climate action in the region. Climate Action requires a collective effort and we’re excited to enhance and share our understanding of climate change impacts in this way.”

Another supporter is the Bendigo Sustainability Group (BSG).  BSG Committee Member Dr Anjum Chaudhry said the BSG understands the importance of taking urgent and progressive actions/initiatives to arrest and mitigate the impact of climate change at an individual and societal level.

“We are keen to play an active part in the Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration representing the sustainable consciousness of the Bendigo community,” Dr Chaudhry said.  

For more information visit www.Bendigo.vic.gov.au/climatecollaboration email  [email protected] or phone 1300 002 642.