Liveable and Just

A toolkit for local government to address the social and equity impacts of climate change

Liveable and Just Banner

The Liveable and Just project is designed to improve understanding of the social and equity impacts of climate change and the nature and extent of implications for the local government sector.

The project involves provoking and fostering informed dialogue about social and equity impacts of climate change and how the roles and responsibilities of local government are likely to be affected, both now and in the future.

As a result of the project, a toolkit has been developed and was launched in March 2010. The toolkit consists of 4 booklets:

  1. Addressing the social and equity impacts of climate change: The case for local government action
  2. Reducing vulnerability: Strategies for local government to identify and reduce vulnerability to climate change
  3. Engaging communities: Tips for effective and inclusive climate change community engagement
  4. Building resilience: Ideas for local government to strengthen community resilience to climate change


ACCESS the toolkit at: www.liveableandjust.vlga.org.au

At the beginning of the project a discussion paper was prepared to help clarify what the social and equity impacts of climate change are and to begin to highlight where these impacts cross over with key local government roles and responsibilities.

In June 2009 a series of workshops were held around Victoria to hear directly from local governments about issues of priorities, success stories, challenges, and lessons learned in addressing the social and equity impacts of climate change.  Workshops covered crucial issues such as heatwaves and bushfires, rising costs of water, energy and transport, physical and mental health, and the heightened vulnerability of groups such as the mentally ill, homeless, aged, and infants.

Feedback provided through the workshop series about what is most needed contributed to the development of the Liveable and Just toolkit which brings together resources to assist local government respond most effectively to social impacts of climate change occurring in their communities.

Project Funding

Liveable & Just is a joint project of the Victorian Local Governance Association, the Brotherhood of St Laurence, and the Department of Sustainability and Environment.

The project was funded by the Victorian Government’s Sustainability Fund under the Victorian Local Sustainability Accord.

Research outcomes

Partnerships

  • Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA)
  • Department of Sustainability and Environment
  • Brotherhood of St Laurence
  • Victorian Council of Social Service
  • Department of Planning and Community Development
  • Monash Sustainability Institute
  • Western District Health Service


Workshops and Launches

  • Six workshops were held across Victoria in June 2009 with representatives from a wide range of Victorian councils, as well as others working in the local government and community sectors.
  • The toolkit was launched on March 2, 2010 in Melbourne and on March 9, 2010 in Mansfield. The launch events included a hands-on session to explore and discuss key themes and case studies from the toolkit.

Publications

Project staff