The effect of a climate emergency declaration

Council officers noted that the adoption of a climate emergency approach had had a profound influence on councillors, who ultimately own the Council Plan. 

Some of the most meaningful actions in the Council Plan came directly from councillor workshops in the development of the plan in these cases. This included individual councillors championing approaches from existing climate emergency plans, which provided a “push to do better.” 
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The passing of a climate emergency declaration seemed to elevate councillors’ sense of responsibility and commitment: “We can’t declare [a climate emergency] and then not include this in our decision-making.”

NAGA (2021) A Climate-Ready Council Plan Process, p. 28, Melbourne