Ten years on – why should councils declare a climate emergency in 2026?

Thursday 20 August

1-2:30pm AWST | 2:30-4:00pm ACST | 3-4:30pm AEST

On 5 December 2016 Darebin City Council made the world's first climate emergency declaration. Since then more than 100 Australian councils have followed Darebin’s lead, representing over 11 million Australians. South Australia and the ACT have also made declarations, as have over 2,300 national, subnational, regional and local government bodies around the world.

In 2026, ten years on, the political landscape has changed in many ways. The climate emergency movement has enabled huge changes, achievements and lessons, but recently, some councils and communities have seen a shift back towards more conservative views and away from progressive climate action.

Hear from the people involved in bringing about the first declaration, their reflections on the difference declarations have made, and why it’s still relevant for councils to declare in 2026. They’ll also share strategies for communities and councillors for catalysing new declarations.

Could we celebrate 10 new declarations by the anniversary? 100? Let’s find out!

With:

· Former Councillor Trent McCarthy, mover of the world’s first climate emergency declaration

· Jane Morton, one of the initiators of the climate emergency declaration campaign and author of Don't mention the emergency?

· Adrian Whitehead and Bryony Edwards, directors of Council and Community Action in the Climate Emergency (CACE), who have supported many councillors to move climate emergency motions

Moderated by Sally MacAdams, Coordinator of Climate Emergency Australia.

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Image courtesy of: Trent McCarthy and Jane Morton

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