The decisions made today about energy, infrastructure, buildings and transport planning will lock in the pathway to achieving the rapid decarbonisation of the municipality needed to mitigate climate change.
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A guidance document for cities, service providers, practitioners, and community members looking to initiate deeper and more deliberative collaboration on climate justice projects between disadvantaged and marginalised communities and local governments.
The document outlines a collaborative process to support diverse groups in embedding climate justice across a range of policies, programs and strategies.
Read the final report:
The IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C tells us the science is clear, we have to act now. The Summary for Urban Policymakers tells us what the IPCC Special Report on 1.5°C means for cities.
Read the Open letter on the Summary for Urban Policymakers (PDF 337 KB)
The Green Our City Strategic Action Plan is a four year plan that includes 11 actions and 4 targets aiming to improve the quality and quantity of green roofs and vertical greening in the municipality to support amenity, liveability and adapt to climate change.
These forums provide you with an opportunity to learn about our sustainability programs and what you can do at home to reduce your ecological footprint.
Join the conversation and get updates on environmental programs and events by:
We have helped hundreds of businesses reduce their energy use and environmental impact through the CitySwitch program. We have our own CitySwitch program manager available to answer your questions and come out and help you measure, plan, implement and monitor your impact and actions, free of charge. Find out more at CitySwitch Green Office program.
This is the City of Melbourne’s first strategy to create and maintain healthy ecosystems and thriving biodiversity within the city. By considering our city as a wider ecosystem, we’ll create opportunities for connections between people, plants, animals and the landscape. Read about our Nature in the City Strategy.
We are planting diverse tree species to create a healthier and cooler landscape, with the aim of doubling the city’s tree canopy by 2040. Read more about our Urban Forest Strategy.
We are trialling cool roofs, green roofs, walls and facades, and providing technical guidelines to property owners. Read our sustainable building case studies.
The City of Melbourne has an extensive network of public transport and dedicated bike lanes. Swanston Street, the city’s main street, is closed to car traffic. Read more about our Transport Strategy and Bicycle Plan.
Visit Urban Water to discover how we are creating a sustainable water system for the city. Explore current projects and read Municipal Integrated Water Management Plan, our four-year plan for integrated water cycle management.
Our solar program provides information and assistance on installing rooftop solar panels for residents and businesses. For more information, see:
Our 1200 Buildings program helps commercial building owners retrofit their properties with modern energy-efficient technologies.
If 1200 buildings improved their energy efficiency, the greenhouse gas savings would help achieve the city’s carbon neutral goal.
To reduce the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the municipality, we have developed the Climate Change Mitigation Strategy for 2050 (PDF 8.1 MB) .
We have undertaken research and implemented actions to better understand and prepare for the local impacts of climate change.
See Adapting to climate change and our Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for more information.
Our Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy guides the way the city collects and processes waste, while encouraging a decrease in waste production.
The City of Melbourne is now using science-based climate targets to reduce our organisation’s carbon emissions by 4.5 per cent each year, as explained in our Emissions Reduction Plan.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of global principles to guide action. Adopted in 2015 by nations including Australia, they were designed with national governments in mind and are a voluntary agreement among the United Nations’ 193 member states. The SDGs can also be used by local governments and non-government organisations. While there are global targets sitting underneath each goal – the SDGs can be localised to address specific issues that are relevant in a local context that work to contribute to the global effort. City of Melbourne have completed a review to assess how the SDGs align to our strategies. The following report outlines our findings and work will continue to embed SDG thinking in our organisation.
We asked residents and visitors about sustainability, Melbourne's initiatives and what change is needed. View the videos.
The City of Melbourne respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land we govern, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin and pays respect to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge and honour the unbroken spiritual, cultural and political connection they have maintained to this unique place for more than 2000 generations.
We accept the invitation in the Uluru Statement from the Heart and are committed to walking together to build a better future.