Wagga City Council has joined more than 40 other local governments across the country in signing on to a climate-focused economic recovery strategy, in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.
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Announced last week by the Climate Council, the strategy will aim to promote the investment in industries with carbon zero commitments as local economies rebuild after the downturn.
Wagga mayor Greg Conkey told The Daily Advertiser signing on to the strategy was the natural step following on from the city's ongoing involvement in the Cities Power Partnership.
Combining the efforts of up to 500 towns across the country, Wagga has been involved with the commitment for several years.
"The idea is to encourage renewable energy drivers [that are] creating local jobs," Mayor Conkey said.
"Action needs to be taken to build a sustainble future and make sure it's livable."
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While each council's individual strategy will look different, in Wagga and the Riverina, Mayor Conkey said it will involve investment in renewable energy sources with an emphasis on solar production and storage.
The mayor pointed to the council's investment in solar panels on its buildings, and the introduction of the council's electric vehicle as a measure of its commitment to the program.
The conversion of city lights to LEDs and the city's green lid food waste - FOGO - initiative, the mayor said, were also examples of Wagga's provision for future sustainability.
But in signing up for the national climate strategy, Mayor Conkey is hopeful to learn some of the ways that other councils have thought to adapt to the climate change challenge.
"I believe we need to be a resilient community," Mayor Conkey said.
"COVID has been a challenge [on the economy] for our region, climate change is something we need to be aware of and we need to be making provisions for our future."