Climate emergency declarations by local governments– what comes next?

More than 2000 jurisdictions globally have declared climate emergencies. Climate emergency declarations are amongst the strongest climate change policy statements. Yet, there has been limited research focusing on what comes after a climate emergency declaration is made, and the extent to which subsequent planning includes ‘transformative’ elements. This research focuses on local governments in the State of Victoria, Australia, and analyses the emergency declarations and subsequent action plans of 39 Councils, applying an analytical framework that defines ‘transformative action’ as including mitigation and adaptation; collaboration action across and within Councils; inclusion of intersecting biodiversity emergency responses; acknowledgement of First Peoples’ knowledges and aspirations; and consideration of justice and equity. Results point to the importance of alliances and networks to push ambition and facilitate informed climate action planning. The research has potential to inform policy both locally and globally and progress understandings of the enabling conditions for transformative approaches.