Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has mapped out a proposed way forward to respond to climate change.
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A report on climate emergency declaration considerations, with nine recommendations, will go before the council's meeting on Wednesday (March 17).
It follows a 70-minute debate at the October 2020 council meeting and a councillor briefing the following month.
The report stops short of recommending a climate emergency declaration.
Rather, it is proposed to make representations to local, state and federal government seeking leadership in mitigating the impacts of climate change in conjunction with the adoption of a Port Macquarie-Hastings Climate Change Policy.
The council report said locally, climate change posed a growing threat to our community and to council, environmentally, socially and economically.
"A successful response to the challenge of meeting appropriate emission reduction targets and adapting to climate change impacts will require cross-sectoral action by government, business and the broader community at all levels and across all jurisdictions (local, national and global)," the report said.
The report said council's response to climate change needed to be considered as an essential element of council's broader efforts to create a sustainable future for Port Macquarie-Hastings across all areas of its responsibilities.
The recommendation acknowledges the evidence-based science for climate change and the serious threat climate change poses to our current and future way of life and the earth's ecosystems.
The report also recommends a sustainability framework be finalised, and that along with the Sustainability Sub-committee, to develop a Climate Change Policy, Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan.
The recommendation acknowledges the contribution of community members to the climate change conversation, in particular, the Hastings Climate Emergency Alliance and the Port Macquarie Sustainability Network.
An alliance of six local groups in late September officially requested council to declare a climate emergency before the end of 2020.
Other items on the council meeting agenda include the tidal pool, the Pacific Highway intersection with Houston Mitchell Drive and the traffic network.
The council meeting begins at 5.30pm on Wednesday.
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