Government, Conservationists and Councils mark World Environment Day 2023

World Environment Day, celebrated annually on 5th June, is this year being marked by announcements from the Australian Government on its decision to expand Macquarie Island Marine Park along with Councils spotlighting their climate, environment and sustainability projects.

World Environment Day aims to encourage awareness and action for the protection of the environment. It is supported by many non-governmental organisations, businesses, government entities, and represents the primary United Nations outreach day supporting the environment.

The Australian Government is marking World Environment Day 2023 with the announcement from  Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek that Macquarie Island Marine Park is set to triple in size - placing an extra 385,000 square kilometres of Australia’s oceans under high protection.

Halfway between Hobart and Antarctica, Macquarie Island and the surrounding waters are home to some of the world’s most iconic species including the endemic royal penguin, rockhopper penguin, subantarctic fur seal, southern elephant seal, black-browed albatross and the grey petrel.

This is a huge win for world ocean protection. The expanded design will see the Macquarie Island Marine Park grow from 162,000 square kilometres to 475,465 square kilometres. 93% or 385,000 square kilometres of the park – an area larger than Germany – will be completely closed to fishing, mining and other extractive activities, making a globally significant contribution to the health and resilience of our oceans.

Minister Plibersek will now recommend to the Governor-General, for his consideration in Executive Council, the proclamation to expand the Macquarie Island Marine Park. 

Following two months of public consultation, the Government has signed off on the marine park design. Over 14,700 submissions were received through the process, with over 99% in support.

The Minister’s decision announced today incorporates minor adjustments to the Patagonian Toothfish fishing zone in response to feedback provided by the sustainable commercial fishing industry that operate around Macquarie Island. The expanded marine park will not impact their existing operations.

This decision means our marine parks will make up over 48% of Australian oceans.

Minister Plibersek noted “I want to protect our oceans for our kids and grandkids. This announcement is part of our mission to conserve Australia’s special places, particularly those that are home to threatened species.

“Macquarie Island is an exceptional place. It’s a remote wildlife wonderland – a critical breeding ground for millions of seabirds, seals and penguins.

“It is the only place on earth where royal penguins breed, with their distinctive yellow mohawk crests. It’s a place where endangered albatross come to rest their giant wings after foraging for food at sea.

“Australians understand that the health of our nation is bound up with the health of our natural world. As Minister for the Environment, I am determined to protect more of what’s precious, to repair more of what’s damaged, and to manage nature better for the future.”

Environment groups welcome expansion of Macquarie Island marine park
An alliance of 27 leading environment groups has welcomed the Australian Government’s decision to expand and upgrade Macquarie Island marine park, saying it is a massive win for the region’s globally significant marine life.

Fiona Maxwell, National Oceans Manager for The Pew Charitable Trusts noted “Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek is delivering world-leading protection for one of the most unique environments on the planet.

“This World Heritage-listed island, halfway between Tasmania and Antarctica, is teeming with wildlife, including albatross, seals, whales and penguins. Some species, such as the royal penguin, are found nowhere else on Earth.

“By almost tripling the size of the marine park and making around 93% of the park a fully protected marine sanctuary, Australia has given Macquarie’s wildlife the best possible chance to survive and thrive into the future."

The government released its draft plan to expand marine protection around Macquarie Island in February. Today’s announcement comes after months of public and stakeholder consultation, which included more than 14,000 submissions in support of the proposal. The new park will cover an area more than double the size of Victoria.

Darren Kindleysides, Chief Executive of the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS), adds “It’s nearly a quarter of a century since Australia established what was then a world-leading Commonwealth marine park off Macquarie’s south-east. Now, the Australian Government is again demonstrating global leadership.

“The expansion and upgrade of Macquarie Island Marine Park is a major contribution towards international efforts to conserve the Southern Ocean.   

“Across the Southern Ocean, temperatures are rising and the rate of ice loss has tripled. Industrial fisheries are damaging areas of high biodiversity and food chains, and the ocean’s rich wildlife is struggling to adapt to these rapid changes.

“Sanctuaries are vital for marine wildlife, healthy ocean ecosystems and sustainable commercial fisheries. Strong sanctuary protection will help this unique Sub-Antarctic marine environment build resilience in the face of these growing threats and will also help to future proof this globally significant wildlife hotspot from threats such as seabed mining.”

The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Australian Marine Conservation Society lead the Save Our Marine Life alliance.

Indigo Shire Council launches new climate action digital platform
Indigo Shire Council, located in the in the Hume region of Victoria, has launched a new climate action platform to track and report on its activities to address climate change.

The platform, Our Climate Action, makes Indigo Shire one of the first Australian councils to use this type of software and to create a public interface to track, document and report on its climate actions and goals.

Mayor Sophie Price says the platform will allow for Council to further demonstrate how it is embedding climate action into all its activities and notes “we are committed to ensuring a sustainable future for the whole of Indigo Shire and we apply this lens and focus on every aspect of our decision-making. We’re thrilled to be able to demonstrate this and celebrate World Environment Day with the launch of this exciting new platform.”

Indigo Shire’s leadership in addressing climate change was cemented with its declaration of a climate emergency in 2019, one of the first Australian councils to do so. It has also set a Net Zero by 2035 target for the organisation’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Since 2012, Indigo Shire Council has installed solar PV systems on 19 Council buildings and in 2021, they joined the VECO power purchase agreement, an action that has reduced emissions by 20% and through this platform, Council will be able to document and report on all of this progress in a very tangible and digestible way.

Council Chief Executive Trevor Ierino says prior to implementing the climate action tracking tool, Council lacked a mechanism to capture, monitor and communicate the initiatives undertaken to address climate change.

“Now, we not only have a powerful tracking tool for staff, we also have a fantastic public resource, which can be accessed through our website, for our community and broader audiences to keep up with our progress and milestones in real time.”

The climate actions on the platform have been separated into two broad categories: 1. Climate actions at Council, which aim to reduce emissions produced by its buildings and facilities, fleet and plant, office waste, and contractors and 2. Climate actions in the community which aim to support the community to reduce emissions, adopt low emissions technology, and adapt to climate change.

Mayor Price adds “I strongly encourage everyone to jump online, see the huge amount of work we’re doing, how we’re partnering with the community and how together, we can support each other as we work toward a more sustainable future for all.”

Click here to view Indigo Shire Council’s ‘Our Climate Action’ 

Yarra City Council spotlights its local climate, environment and sustainability projects
From funding one-off events like the Origin to Object sustainable timber exhibition or providing support to organisations like CLIMARTE for ongoing climate-focused programs – Yarra’s grants support a range of small- and large-scale projects that educate, engage and empower the community to take action on environmental issues. 

Over the last year, Yarra City Council has supported 25 local climate, environment and sustainability projects totalling $110,000 in funding as part of its community grants program.

As one of the first councils to declare a climate emergency, Yarra recognises that effort is needed across all levels of government, businesses, and communities to address the climate crisis and protect our natural environment. 

Through its community grants program, Yarra Council supports a number of initiatives that accelerate community-led climate action at a local level. 

These initiatives mobilise the community to take climate action, create local food systems, improve biodiversity, reduce and recycle waste, foster sustainable transport and promote conscious consumption. 

The projects align with multiple Council plans and strategies including the Climate Emergency Plan 2020-24, Nature Strategy 2020-24 and Urban Agriculture Strategy 2019-23.

Council is investing $1.3 million in the community as part of its 2024 Annual Grants program. Applications open on 13th June. 

Image top: Macquarie Island Marine Park Credit: UNESCO World Heritage Centre; Image centre: Chiltern community hub solar panels Credit: Indigo Shire Council; Climarte: Credit City of Yarra