On 11-12 September 2018, Darebin Council hosted the world's first council-run climate emergency conference and perhaps even the world's first 'climate emergency' conference.  

The conference was an action from the Darebin's Climate Emergency Plan and part of the council's effort to educate the public and other councils on responding in the climate emergency.  

Over 200 attended both days, including many councillors from around the country.

Speakers included Darebin Mayor Kim Le Cerf, David Spratt, Paul Gilding, Philip Sutton. Day one  framed the emergency and the rationale of councils acting. 

Paul Gilding had this great article on the conference appearing in The Age. 

Attendees left fired up and on board with many announcing plans to start campaigns in their own local government areas. Moreland Council unanimously passed a climate emergency motion at the close of the conference. Details in the post below.

Materials from the conference will be provided here as they appear. The Conference Program is attached below.

At the Moreland Council meeting on 12 September 2018, Cr Dale Martin put up a climate emergency motion that was passed unanimously by council. The motion stated:

1. Council acknowledges we are in a state of climate emergency that requires urgent action by all levels of government, including local Councils.
2. Councillors receive a briefing from officers on how to best act on the ‘climate emergency’ acknowledgement and ensure this is embedded into future strategies and the next council action plan.
3. Council updates the Zero Carbon Evolution 2040 framework to embed the ‘climate emergency’ acknowledgement.
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CACE met with councillors and been holding fortnightly meetings toward a Moreland climate emergency response. Thanks to Andrea Bunting of Climate Action Moreland, who gathered statements of support from councillors for the Climate Emergency Declaration!

Moreland is the fourth council in Australia to pass a motion recognising the climate emergency motion (along with Darebin and Yarra Vic, Vincent WA). However, Moreland is the second council to Darebin to committing to framing council work in the climate emergency.