Council recognises that the world is in a state of climate emergency that requires urgent and sustained action by all levels of government, including local government.

On 9 November 2021, Council declared a climate emergency. A climate emergency declaration is a call for immediate and urgent action to reverse global warming.

Across the Alpine Shire we are witnessing the effects of climate change, with:

  • Increased size, intensity and frequency of bushfires.
  • Shortened natural snow seasons, higher snow lines and less accumulated snow.
  • Increased duration and intensity of drought.
  • Increased frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events, flash flooding and summer flooding.

The changes that we are already experiencing have critical repercussions on life, work and play in the Alpine Shire. Agriculture, horticulture, businesses, residents, visitors, flora, fauna and ecological systems are all affected.

Council's Climate Action Plan 2025-2029 was adopted in May 2025, and outlines the actions we will take to continue reducing our corporate emissions whilst building climate resilience across our assets, operations, and services. This updated plan builds on the work of our previous Climate Action Plan 2021-2024, which led us to becoming net zero as of July 2023.