Community targets
Ecological footprint is one way of expressing the integrated impact of human consumption and waste production on the Earth’s capacity to sustain human life. The average Canberra ecological footprint is very high by world standards and not sustainable. The ACT NRM Council is collaborating with the Department of Environment, Climate Change, Energy and Water to examine individual decision making towards sustainable living – particularly at ways to improve community-based social marketing to achieve better outcomes.
The measurable target
| OUTCOMES | OUTPUTS | ACTIONS |
|---|---|---|
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Intermediate Agreed ecological footprint measures established (2008) and progress reported publicly in the ACT State of Environment (SoE) report (from 2008) Achievement of a 15% reduction in the 2008 per capita footprint (2015) Long-term Achievement of a 30% reduction in the 2008 per capita footprint (2030) |
SoE report in 2011 that includes ecological footprint measures A community in which 75% of individuals understand their ecological footprints Implementation of local actions that reduce the footprint (e.g. more local sustainable food production) |
Foundation Agree on ecological footprint measures and headline sustainability indicators for ACT (SoE) Survey to establish baseline community understanding Assess local actions to provide the most leverage on reducing the footprint On-ground Collaboration, alliances, partnerships, liaison across all sectors to address issues Promotion of the ecological footprint and options for how it can be reduced Build on current sustainable schools initiatives (e.g. AuSSI) |
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2.Indigenous engagement
This target focuses on putting new arrangements in place to increase:
- the use of traditional knowledge and
- ongoing improvement in Indigenous participation in natural resource management projects so that traditional knowledge and culture are more broadly accepted and adopted within the broader community.
Projects will express Indigenous beliefs and values.
The measurable target
| OUTCOMES | OUTPUTS | ACTIONS |
|---|---|---|
|
Intermediate Traditional knowledge has actively influenced significant decision making in Namadgi National Park (2015) Long-term Indigenous employment and active participation in natural resource management activities has more than doubled from its 2008 base (2030) Indigenous communities are strengthened through their engagement in NRM (2030) |
Increased Indigenous participation in NRM Guidelines for applying Indigenous knowledge and respecting Indigenous values in all NRM projects Joint plan of management for Namadgi National Park |
Foundation Collect baseline data on Indigenous participation in NRM Work with Indigenous community groups to identify how best to engage Indigenous people in NRM On-ground Develop programs that integrate with Indigenous cultural events such as NAIDOC week Improve the Indigenous co-management arrangements for Namadgi National Park and other ACT public lands Work with Indigenous people to design opportunities for NRM engagement that are culturally appropriate and provide suitable training Develop and apply a protocol for Indigenous participation and Provide training in Indigenous culture and values to non-Indigenous NRM facilitators and project managers Promote local Indigenous knowledge of the ACT in the wider community |
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3.Community capacity
Knowledge and awareness, plus a decision to act, will result in increased adoption of positive NRM attitudes, enhanced personal confidence, better skills and improved on-ground results. As well as individual capacity, this target addresses the organisational skills required to bring individuals and groups together and manage their NRM activities efficiently.
The measurable target
The calculation does not allow for practitioners ageing or withdrawing, nor for their need to update their skills from time to time. If 10% do a refresher or new course every year, that adds some additional 500 training opportunities needed per year. It is unrealistic to expect that more than 10% of the population will become engaged in the longer term.
| OUTCOMES | OUTPUTS | ACTIONS |
|---|---|---|
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Intermediate Training of 2200 adults to assist the delivery of natural resource management outcomes, through an annual program of targeted capacity building and learning opportunities (2015) Long-term Training of 5000 adults to assist the delivery of natural resource management outcomes, through an annual program of targeted capacity building and learning opportunities (2030) |
Implementation of key recommendations of the 2007 needs |
Foundation Conduct needs analysis Review subcatchment plans Ensure access to best practice Engage with education practitioners On-ground Community group capacity Develop needs analysis and engagement strategy Ensure best practice in NRM guidelines/information bank Improve funding delivery Ensure subcatchment planning reflects development and retention of skills and knowledge Appoint facilitators and coordinators Consider co-location Develop volunteer management system Conduct community group health checks Carry out gap analysis in terms of skills and knowledge Young peoples capacity Ensure school and other curricula are relevant to NRM outcomes Build on sustainable schools initiatives (e.g. AuSSI) Individual capacity Enhance volunteer skills by promoting better coordinated and targeted training |
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4.Community participation
The intention of this target is to increase the diversity of opportunities for and hence the levels of participation in activities that directly contribute to NRM outcomes in the ACT. Participation can include volunteer work on environmental projects, including ‘watch’ and ‘care’ programs, paid work in the NRM industry, business contributions, providing specialised advice, donating to ACT NRM projects, and engaging in local environmental activities that have an influence on other people (e.g. environmental arts).
The measurable target
| OUTCOMES | OUTPUTS | ACTIONS |
|---|---|---|
|
Intermediate Community participation in natural resource management has grown by 11 000 people (from 2008 to 2015) Long-term Community participation in natural resource management has grown by 23 000 people (from 2008 to 2030) |
A baseline data report Community events Engagement products Partnerships Volunteer ‘self-management’ systems Related plans Engaging People—The ACT Community Capacity Building Strategy |
Foundation Collect baseline data on participation in NRM – to include a demographic and attitudes analysis to help better target opportunities for participation On-ground Facilitate and coordinate on-ground activities Introduce and trial new ways of raising the participation rate, including novel incentive schemes (e.g. NRM ‘fly-buys’) Conduct targeted promotion of opportunities using diverse media Develop new partnerships, especially with business, to sponsor or engage directly in NRM activities Develop relationships with groups not traditionally involved in NRM but where participation has a mutual benefit (e.g. new migrants, cultural groups, mental health) Develop recognition systems for volunteers |
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5.Integration of planning frameworks
NRM planning cannot exist in isolation from landuse and other related planning in the ACT and local region. The intention is to achieve effective cooperation and collaboration between NRM and other planning interests.
The measurable target
| OUTCOMES | OUTPUTS | ACTIONS |
|---|---|---|
|
Intermediate One set of NRM objectives for the ACT, expressed consistently in the Territory Plan, the National Capital Plan and the NRM plan, and echoed in management plans for specific places and their progress reported in regular SoE reports (2015) Long-term An enduring, stable and ACT-wide NRM planning framework in place that has made NRM targets mainstream and delivered significant NRM outcomes (2030) |
The Territory Plan and National Capital Plan contain a natural resources overlay that identifies natural resource assets. An annual ACT natural resources report card compiled and presented by ACT Government agencies |
Foundation Engage relevant planning agencies in current NRM Plan Revive triple bottom line accounting and sustainability in ACT On-ground Develop credible advocacy in planning and law making Review NRM legislation* Review subcatchment plans to ensure integration with ACT NRM Plan Facilitate collaborative NRM planning between NRM Council, ACTPLA, NCA and Department of Defence. Work with Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment and other agencies to streamline data gathering and reporting on ACT NRM assets and targets * Note that the oldest piece of ACT NRM legislation – the Nature Conservation Act 1980 – is currently under review |