Darebin's climate action

Conservation group meeting in park

In 2016, Darebin became the first government in the world to declare a climate emergency. Since then, more than 2,360 governments worldwide have followed our lead. 

Darebin was one of the first councils to create a Climate Emergency Plan. The actions we implemented as part of this plan reduced our own council emissions by 71%. We are working to further reduce our impact and build climate resilience in Darebin with our current Climate Emergency Plan.

Our Climate Emergency Plan 2024–2030

Adopted unanimously in July 2024, this plan guides our work to cut emissions, prepare for climate impacts, and support our community. Over 1,500 residents and organisations helped shape the plan, calling for urgent action and support for those most affected.

Read the Climate Emergency Plan 2024–2030(PDF, 19MB)

What we achieved in 2024–25

Caring for Country

  • 1,000+ new street trees planted
  • 32,000 plants added to parks and reserves through the Rewilding Program

Moving towards zero emissions

  • 12 gas appliances in Council buildings upgraded to electric
  • Solar Saver Program delivered:
    • 103 solar installations
    • 729 kW of solar power
    • 59 hot water heat pumps
    • 21 split systems
  • $4,383 in Energy$mart subsidies for local businesses to install efficient appliances
  • 4 new EV chargers installed, with 6 more in consultation

Supporting community resilience

  • $50,725 in community grants for local environmental projects
  • 150 fans, 200 cooling scarves, and 200 cooling mats delivered to public housing residents
  • 100 Keep Cool in Darebin kits distributed to rough sleepers

Leading innovation on climate

  • Building partnerships to create Climate Resilient Neighbourhoods
  • Advocacy for a climate friendly future
  • Partnered with Get Off Gas to inspire 200+ Charles LaTrobe College students about clean energy careers
  • Introduced 190 new staff to the Climate Emergency Plan through induction training

Victorian Energy Collaboration

In 2021 Darebin led the establishment and coordination of Victorian Energy Collaboration which now reduces the electricity emissions of 61 councils to zero. Since its conception, the project has:

  • supplied 849 GWh of energy to 61 Victorian Councils
  • reduced carbon emission by 750,000 tCO2e, equivalent to avoiding the combustion of 1,000,000 tonnes of brown coal for electricity.

Why it matters for Darebin

Climate change is already affecting our community here in Darebin. Rising greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels are driving hotter temperatures, extreme weather, and changing local conditions.

We’re seeing:

  • longer, more dangerous heatwaves
  • smoke from bushfires reducing air quality
  • flooding that damages homes and businesses
  • storms that cut power and put lives at risk
  • impacts on food supply and fresh produce.

These events affect everyone and put extra pressure on Council services, from emergency response to maintaining safe infrastructure.

Learn more about climate change from the Climate Council

Take action

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