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Climate Change Policy - draft

Harmonising and consolidating existing former council policies

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In the heart of our coastal and bushland community, we all envision a future where every resident, business, and visitor embraces the shared responsibility of protecting our environment and building community resilience. Together, we can mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change, preserving the natural beauty and biodiversity of our local area for generations to come.

What's happening?

A single Climate Change Policy (the Policy) for the Northern Beaches has been drafted for community feedback.

The new policy:

  • provides high level principles to guide our actions to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change
  • adopts a proactive management approach for our assets and services which helps to strengthen community and environmental resilience to climate change impacts, including extreme weather events, and
  • is consistent with and supports the delivery of climate action through Protect. Create. Live - Environment and Climate Change Strategy 2040, supporting action plans and the Withstand. Adapt. Thrive - Northern Beaches Resilience Strategy.

The draft Policy was reported to Council's May meeting and is now on exhibition for comment.

  • View the Council Report
  • View the Council Minutes

If adopted, the draft Policy is intended to replace the 5 existing climate change related policies from the former Councils.

Click to view the draft Policy open in new window

Policy snapshot

Take a quick look at what the Policy covers

  • Purpose

    • Guide Council’s approach to mitigation and adaptation to the impacts of climate change across our assets, services and functions.
    • Strengthen the adaptive capacity of Council to better support assets, community and environmental resilience.
    • Harmonise the 5 existing climate change related policies from the 3 former Councils into one consistent policy for the Northern Beaches.

  • Some of the key principles

    • Integrate climate considerations across Council’s planning, assets, services, and reporting frameworks.
    • Adopt a proactive and adaptive, science-based approach that is updated to reflect new data, technologies and policy changes.
    • Set, monitor, and publicly report on greenhouse gas reduction targets.
    • Apply climate projections to asset management, service delivery, land use planning, and strategy and plan development.

  • Other elements

    • Prioritise emissions reduction across Council operations and assets.
    • Proactively manage climate-related risks to people, property and the environment.
    • Work with the community and stakeholders to reduce emissions, address climate risks and enhance resilience.
    • Ensure our decisions consider the impacts of climate change for current and future generations.
    • Advocate for further action to reduce the causes, risks and impacts of climate change.
    • Align with Council’s Policy Framework.

Have your say**

We want to hear your thoughts, so please take a moment to fill out a quick survey, or you can email us your submission to share your feedback on the draft Policy.


Timeline

  • Timeline item 1 - active

    May - Jun 2025: Open and listening

    We want to hear your thoughts on the draft Policy

  • Timeline item 2 - incomplete

    Jul - Aug 2025: Under review

    We will review all responses received and prepare a report for Council

  • Timeline item 3 - incomplete

    End 2025: Sharing what we heard

    We'll share what we learn from your feedback, and report to Council for a decision

Frequently asked questions

  • Why has Council developed the new Climate Change Policy?
  • What will happen to the former Councils' policies?
  • What strategic goals does this draft Policy align with?
  • Where can I find more information on climate change actions?
  • How can I see Council's progress with emission reduction?
  • What can I do to help?

FAQ

  • Why has Council developed the new Climate Change Policy?

  • Council is integrating the policies of the 3 former Councils to provide a consistent approach to climate change adaptation and mitigation actions across the Northern Beaches.

  • What will happen to the former Councils' policies?

  • When the new Policy is adopted, the following 5 policies of the 3 former Councils will be revoked:

    • Carbon Neutral Policy – C06 (former Manly)
    • Environmental Sustainability Policy – STR PL 830 (former Warringah)
    • Sustainability Policy – No164 (former Pittwater)
    • Ethical Charter – Sustainability Policy – E40 (former Manly)
    • Climate Change Policy – No176 (former Pittwater)
  • What strategic goals does this draft Policy align with?

  • The Climate Change Policy (draft) aligns with the following goals and specific actions from the Community Strategic Plan 2040:

    Goal 2 - Our environment is resilient to natural hazards and climate change

    Actions a, b and c.

    Goal 4 – Our community is supported in the transition towards net zero emissions and a local circular economy

    Actions a and b.

    Goal 5 – Our built environment is developed in line with best practice sustainability principles.

    Actions a, b, c and d.

    Goal 6 – Our Council is recognised as a leader in environmental sustainability

    Actions a, b and c.

    Goal 19 - Our Council is transparent and trusted to make decisions that reflect the values of the community.

    Action a.

  • Where can I find more information on climate change actions?

  • Information on climate change mitigation and adaptation actions are included in our Protect. Create. Live – Northern Beaches Environment and Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan. You can also view how we are tracking against our commitments with our interactive dashboard.

  • How can I see Council's progress with emission reduction?

  • Council's interactive dashboard is designed to show our progress towards the commitments and aspirations set out in our Protect. Create. Live – Northern Beaches Environment and Climate Change Strategy, including:

    • annual community emissions, water use, and solar installations tracked against the adopted targets for each suburb
    • annual coast and waterway health information
    • number of trees planted by Council over the past year
    • Council’s progress towards our adopted water and emissions operational commitments.
  • What can I do to help?

  • There are many ways you can help reduce the impacts of climate change, including reducing your electricity and water use, install solar panels and rainwater tanks, and planting native trees and plants in your garden.

    Visit our website here for more information, including case studies to get inspired by, and a link to a 'climate clever home' carbon tracking app.

Links and documents

Documents

  • Climate Change Policy (draft)
  • Protect. Create. Live - Northern Beaches Environment and Climate Change Strategy 2040
  • Climate Change Action Plan

Links

Documents

  • Climate Change Policy (draft)
  • Protect. Create. Live - Northern Beaches Environment and Climate Change Strategy 2040
  • Climate Change Action Plan
  • Withstand. Adapt. Thrive - Northern Beaches Resilience Strategy

Inherited policies

  • Climate Change Policy (former Pittwater Council)
  • Environmental Sustainability Policy (former Warringah Council)
  • Sustainability Policy (former Pittwater Council)
  • Carbon Neutral Policy (former Manly Council)
  • Ethical Charter - Sustainability Policy (former Manly Council)

Council Meeting 20 May 2025

  • Council Meeting Report - 20 May 2025
  • Council Meeting Minutes - 20 May 2025

Community Strategic Plan

  • The Climate Change Policy (draft) aligns with five of the Community Strategic Plan (CSP) goals (Goal 2, 4, 5, 6 and 19).

    Explore what these goals entail and how we are working together towards a 2040 vision.


    Click here to learn more 

Have an enquiry?

Contact Information
Name Environmental Sustainability & Climate Change
Phone 1300 434 434 (during business hours) or 131 450 (for translation services)
Email council@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
In writing

marked 'Climate Change Policy (draft)', Northern Beaches Council, PO Box 82, Manly NSW 1655.

*The submissions count is manually updated and only indicative until the final report is published. It reflects the total online contributions received only. Duplicate submissions will be counted as one unique submission.

**All comments in their entirety are made publicly available in the Community Engagement Report. Personal identifying information, and content which is discriminatory, hateful or which may defame, offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate will be redacted.



Contact customer service on:

1300 434 434

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and their Country on which we gather today. By these words we show our respect to all Aboriginal people. We acknowledge Elders past, present and emerging and the spirits and ancestors of the Clans that lived in this area.

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