Liveable and Just Toolkit:Key messages and features

Professor John Wiseman and Taegen Edwards

McCaughey Centre: VicHealth Centre for the Promotion of Mental Health and Community

Wellbeing, Melbourne School of Population Health, University of Melbourne

The Liveable and Just Toolkit…

‘Climate change is the biggest global health threat of the 21st Century. Effects of climate change on health will affect most populations in the next decade and put the lives and wellbeing of billions of people at increased risk.’

- Costello, A. et al (Lancet and University College London), ‘Managing the health effects of climate change’, The Lancet, Vol. 373, 2009

The Liveable and Just Toolkit…

• Aims to provide an accessible, practical starting point for local communities and local governments seeking to address the social and equity impacts of climate change

• Aims to be relevant and useful to a broad range of local government councillors and staff

• Has been developed in response to strong demand for accessible, up to date information and resources

• Has been informed by extensive input and feedback from local government councillors and staff

The Liveable and Just Toolkit…

• Is informed by the recognition that local impacts of climate change – and local responses - vary widely

• Recognises that there are a broad range of views about climate change – and a diverse range of expertise and experience

• Is based on the assumption that well informed discussion and practical tools are an essential basis for effective action

• Brings together extensive information, tools, resources and links

• Is the beginning of a journey…

•Why focus on social and equity impacts of climate change?•What are they?•How do they affect local government?

1. Key messages

“Climate change will have its greatest effect on those who have the least access to the world’s resources and those who have contributed least to its cause. Without mitigation and adaptation, it will increase health inequity especially through negative effects on the social determinants of health in the poorest communities.” - Costello et al. “Managing the Health Effects of Climate Change”, The Lancet, Vol. 373, 2009

Climate change and social injustice must be tackled together.

1. Key messages

1. Key messages

1. Key messages

Many, if not all, local government activities are affected.

…home and community care (HACC) programs, maternal and child health services, family and children’s services, disability services, cultural development e.g. festivals, public art etc, leisure and recreation services, public health planning and services, community safety measures e.g. street lighting, fire prevention plans, footpath construction and maintenance, waste management, maintenance of the Food Act (1984), counselling and support groups, land use management, granting permits for farmers markets, reticulated sewerage and septic tanks, stormwater management, swimming pools, housing planning schemes, emergency planning, reducing energy usage of council buildings and operations, community education programs, maintenance of walking and bike paths, libraries and public buildings, community jobs programs, support for tourism industry and area vitality, local economic development, migrant and indigenous services, support for sports clubs…

1. Key messages

There is a clear case for local government action.

1. Core local government business2. Doing things better, not doing more things3. Seeking win-win (climate & social justice) outcomes has

benefits4. Local government not alone, but critical

1. Tools and Resources

1. Tools and Resources

• International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) Climate Change Adaptation Toolkit

• 5 useful actions to get started • Where to look for relevant training opportunities, key

organisations

• Resources on: climate science; health and social impacts; template presentation and video clip re climate change and health

•Understanding vulnerability of people and communities to climate change•What can local government do?

2. Key messages

• Climate change impacts bring new vulnerabilities, but can also exacerbate existing vulnerabilities

• Short term strategies include actions to reduce vulnerability to specific events and emergencies

• Long term strategies include policies and programs to strengthen local resilience and reduce underlying social disadvantage

• BOTH are critical

2. Key messages

While local governments cannot identify and reduce vulnerability to climate change alone, they can take important steps to:

• Collect and analyse appropriate data - working with those potentially affected – to determine who is most vulnerable to what

• Integrate vulnerability reduction strategies into everyday council business – working across different council areas

• Work with community members and other organisations to align planning and create joint vulnerability reduction strategies

• Insert case study example – Hobsons Bay

2. Case studies

2. Tools and Resources

• Discussion starter – Asking who is most vulnerable in your area

• Sources of information to help identify vulnerability• Case Studies: SECCCA; Darebin; Hobsons Bay; Kingston-

Bayside region

• Resources on: Heatwave planning, Southern Grampians and Glenelg Primary Care Partnership local adaptation framework, vulnerability assessment models, guidelines for assessing vulnerability to emergencies, Future Coasts and Sydney Coastal Councils

•What is community engagement on climate change?•Why is it important?•How can local government do it well?

A broad spectrum of activities fits within the heading of ‘community engagement on climate change’.

Examples of purpose: seeking community input into a plan or policy; helping citizens understand; helping local governments understand; inspiring action/changed behaviour…

Examples of technique: kitchen table conversations; visioning and scenario development workshops; community events and festivals; deliberative forums; leadership and training programs…

3. Key messages

3. Key messages

Effective community engagement on climate change is both necessary and beneficial.

• Contributes to informed consideration of trends and impacts• Helps to ensure decisions and actions are locally-owned i.e.

tailored to and supported by local communities

• Strengthens support for, and relevance of, council actions• Builds trust and positive relationships with parts of the

community• Promotes a sense of shared responsibility in responding to

climate impacts

3. Key messages

3. Tools and Resources

• Effective engagement toolkit – DSE• International Association for Public Participation (IAP2)

Spectrum• Links to projects highlighting different climate change

engagement techniques with diverse audiences• Case studies: Rural Women in a Changing Climate regional

gatherings; engaging without talking about climate change• Strategies to address key challenges inherent to the climate

change problem• Checklist – Are you being strategic?• 5 quick ideas for action

3. Tools and Resources

•What does community resilience to climate change mean?•What can local government do to help build local resilience?

4. Key messages

• Resilience is a useful concept for understanding the ability of people and communities to adapt and respond proactively to climate change.

• Need to build general resilience, but also address specific needs and opportunities arising from climate change

4. Key messages

There are already many initiatives addressing climate change and building community resilience at the same time.

Win-win strategies include:• Energy efficiency home audits, retro-fits – focus on low-income

households• Community-owned renewable energy projects• Low-emissions transport – community buses, cycling, walking etc• Community gardens, local buy food schemes• Sustainability-focussed projects involving public housing residents inc

conversion to solar PV, locally grown food markets, bike repair and riding

• Cross-generational learning about living in a world of limited resources• Localised, networked systems for producing and delivering food, water

and energy

4. Key messages

Local governments can help support and promote local projects which build community resilience to climate change in several different ways.

– FUNDER e.g. tailoring grants programs– INITIATOR e.g. developing and implementing projects– FACILITATOR e.g. removing regulatory barriers– BROKER e.g. fostering local networks– ADVOCATE e.g. communicating local concerns – EDUCATOR e.g. informing and empowering local citizens

4. Tools and Resources

• Community Indicators Victoria• Community Resilience Manual• Funding sources• Where to find more detailed case study info

• Resources on: Transition Towns; community climate action toolkit; further information on resilience concepts and characteristics; community capacity building guidelines for housing workers; building resilience in rural communities toolkit; community builders NSW clearinghouse; community gardens toolkit & networks

Contact details:

Prof John Wisemanjwiseman@unimelb.edu.au Taegen Edwardstaegene@unimelb.edu.au

McCaughey Centre: VicHealth Centre for the Promotion of Mental Health and Community Wellbeing, Melbourne School of Population Health, University of Melbourne

http://www.mccaugheycentre.unimelb.edu.au/research/current/climate_change

Thankyou!Feedback welcome