Better Futures Australia and Cities Race to Zero Campaigns
Further information for Australian Councils
There are a number of opportunities for Australian councils to collaborate nationally and internationally towards, at and beyond the International Climate Conference (COP26) in Glasgow in November 2021. The immediate opportunities for 2021 are:
The Better Futures Australia Declaration is a joint statement of support that brings together private and public sector leaders in taking ambitious climate action and jointly calling for credible national climate policy to ensure Australia is on track for a prosperous, climate-resilient zero emissions future, in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Supported by CANA and multiple partner organisations, this campaign spreads across all sectors of society and the economy, working to diversify the traditional climate movement .
Cities Race to Zero is a global campaign, led by the UNFCCC, that brings together an unprecedented coalition of local councils committed to act on climate change. This campaign will be important in the lead up to COP26 in Glasgow, where we hope all countries will be making even more ambitious commitments to reach zero emissions. After COP26 the ‘Race to Zero’ will continue to be a platform for recognition, networking, and climate action for the coming years.
This campaign is organised by a cohort of global city networks including C40 Cities, the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM), ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), CDP, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the World Resources Institute (WRI).
Benefits of the campaigns
These campaigns share a similar mission – in that they are both aiming to increase the commitment to and collective ambition of climate action in cities. Joining both is encouraged to ensure the maximum profile for each council and demonstration of the partnerships needed to meet climate targets. There are, however, also some minor but important differences, related to area of impact and eligibility requirements, which are outlined below.
Better Futures Australia and Cities Race to Zero
What’s the difference?
Better Futures Australia is a “catch-all” campaign designed for all sectors including Australian councils, to collaborate on climate action by tapping into city and cross-sector experience and learnings within Australia.
Cities Race to Zero is a campaign specific for local governments worldwide, and most applicable for Australian councils already committed to a climate journey to raise the climate ambition and tap into the experience and resources of international cities and networks.
Better Futures Australia - National (within Australia)
Mission : Private and public sector leaders working together to raise climate ambition in Australia.
Duration 2021
Who can pledge? Self-defined authority (e.g., Mayor, Councillor, CEO). Authority to represent your organisation is dependent on your organisation's structure. You will likely know best if you are a qualified representative!
Emission reduction targets: Net zero pledge
Reporting and ongoing support: Encouraged, but not required.
Cities Race to Zero - National and International
Mission : Councils and networks working together to raise the global climate ambition: commit to keeping global warming below 1.5°C and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Duration 2021 and beyond
Who can pledge? Head of organization (e.g., usually by the Mayor) Often this is discussed and debated through a council report, notice of motion or assessment of whether it already fits within council policy or previous decisions.
Emission reduction targets: Net zero by 2050, and interim 2030 science-based target
Reporting and ongoing support: Reporting is standardised and transparent so as to aggregate results and report on ambitions. Support is available to help cities report progress during 2021 -2022 and to review climate actions
How to sign up
These campaigns are not mutually exclusive, and if your council is eligible, we encourage you to sign up to both. Below you will find a list of criteria required to sign up to each campaign.
To pledge for local and national action sign BFA, to pledge for national and international action-sign up to Cities Race to Zero, the Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM) or ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability.
Better Futures Australia
Commit to:
Taking climate actions through individual effort and collaboration to ensure Australia contributes to limiting average global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Showcasing new climate commitments and actions to inspire other Australians to realise zero emissions opportunities.
Advocating for a national response that will deliver action at the scale required to reach net zero emissions well before 2050
Working together, alongside and in partnership with Federal, State and Local Government leadership, to support the delivery of the Paris Agreement.
Endorse:
We recognise that responding to climate change requires all of us to act, alongside and in partnership with Federal, State and Local Government leadership. We invite all Australians to join us in helping to ensure our nation can, and will, meet its commitment under the Paris Agreement.
Sign up here: https://www.betterfutures.org.au/sign_the_declaration ( general sign up not council specific)
Cities Race to Zero
Commit to:
Pledge: at the head of organization level to reach net zero emissions as soon as possible, and by mid-century at the latest.
Set an interim 2030 target that reflects maximum effort toward or beyond a fair share of 50% of global emissions reduction.
Plan: within 12 months of joining, have plans for achieving both interim and longer-term targets.
Proceed: with immediate and meaningful action toward achieving net zero - (Choose one action from the list)
Publish: report progress no later than 2022 on public platform
Endorse the following principles:
1. Recognise the climate emergency
2. Commit to keeping global heating below the 1.5°C goal
3. Commit to inclusive decision making
4. Invite and partner with others to recognise the global climate emergency
Sign up here: https://www.c40knowledgehub.org/s/race-to-zero-pledge-form?language=en_US
Note: if your council is a member of ICLEI Oceania or Global Covenant of Mayors GCoM, you likely already qualify for Cities Race to Zero and Cities Race to Resilience.
Contact ICLEI on oceania@iclei.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do should I contact for more information?
Queries on the Better Futures Australia Declaration can be directed to Lisa Cliff
Queries on how to sign up to Cities Race to Zero can be directed to ICLEI Oceania or phone +61 3 9639 8688
Where can I find out more about these campaigns?
Councils can find out more information on each campaign, and how to sign up, in the corresponding websites for Better Futures Australia and Cities Race to Zero.
There will be a series of national events in the lead up to COP26, where Australian councils can access more information about each campaign and listen to other leaders and advocates speak. Below are the currently available events, with more to be announced in the coming months.
National Better Futures Forum (17 – 19 August 2021) – Better Futures Australia session
Glasgow Climate Change Conference COP26 (1 – 11 November 2021)
Where can I access resources and support to help my council meet the pledge commitments?
A range of tools and resources are available on the Cities Race to Zero resources page, including guidelines for setting a science-based target, how-to guides for implementing inclusive and equitable climate action, and access to platforms for reporting. Contact ICLEI Oceania for further advice.
What if my council has already signed up to Global Covenant of Mayors GCoM
As a signatory of the Global Covenant of Mayors - Oceania your city is already working toward decarbonising your economy, making your council more resilient to the effects of climate change and providing sustainable and affordable energy to your community.
The Cities Race to Zero campaign offers a new, voluntary opportunity for raising your city’s current ambition, setting science-based targets and to showcase ambitious action at global level, and in the run up to COP26.
Often the setting of a science based community wide net zero target is something over and above current endorsed approaches and may take time to develop and approve. There is of course no obligation for GCoM Signatories to join the Race to Zero but if you choose this path there will be assistance provided in 2021 and 2022.
