Central Coast Climate Action

Central Coast Climate Action

The Central Coast Sustainability and Climate Action Plan includes 27 Actions within five themes, relating to natural systems, water and energy efficiency, community empowerment, waste reduction and improved strategic planning.

Reducing emissions will avoid significant human interference with the climate system so that ecosystems can adapt naturally to climate change.
It will protect food production and enable sustainable economic development.

The shift to a net zero emissions economy will also create opportunities in sectors in which NSW has a competitive advantage, such as professional services, agriculture, advanced energy technology, property management and financial services.

Many types of trees, agricultural land and waterways have climate change mitigation benefits through carbon sequestration. Landowners and managers could participate in growing carbon markets by establishing carbon offsets on private, public or Aboriginal managed lands.

Further, blue carbon sequestration –where mangroves, salt marshes, seaweed and seagrasses remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere–make vegetated coastal ecosystems highly efficient carbon sinks.

The Central Coast is expected to experience an increase in its average, maximum and minimum temperatures for the near future (2030) and far future (2070). Rainfall on the Central Coast is expected to increase in Autumn and Summer and decrease in Spring and Winter.

These changes in climate are likely to increase the risk from natural hazards including coastal processes, storms and floods, bushfires, heatwaves and drought. Natural hazards can disrupt road and rail networks and interrupt access to essential services including water, sewerage, power, telecommunications and digital connectivity.

Residents, tourists, towns and communities can become isolated for extended periods, which can impact social networks. Visiting tourists may not be aware of the dangers and emergency procedures. Over long periods of time this can be detrimental to local economies that rely on tourism.

A more climate resilient region will increase the capacity of individuals, communities, businesses and systems to survive, adapt and thrive no matter what stresses and shocks they face.