COMMUNITY groups are leading the way on greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies in Newcastle with the inaugural Newcastle Climate Action Summit on Saturday.
The summit is touted as the next step in the development of a local response and comprehensive climate action plan.
Climate Action Newcastle and Newcastle Climate Change are convening the summit, with the support of the City of Newcastle.
It will bring together groups involved in public transport, freight and logistics, the travel industry, tenants advocacy, social housing providers and advocates, businesses, waste to energy advocates, food banks and waste companies.
Speakers will include Doctors for the Environment convenor Dr Ben Ewald who will present on the top five strategies to reduce transport emissions in the Newcastle local government area.
Heather Stevens, manager of the Climate Change and Sustainability team at the City of Newcastle will address the city's climate action plan which has set goals and priorities to achieve net zero emissions by 2030, and aspirational targets such as a 30 per cent reduction in city-wide emissions by 2025.
Retired medico Kevin Sweeney, Amnesty International Regional President for NSW, will present on reducing residential emissions, and Hunter Jobs Alliance community organiser Nathan Clements will discuss the need for training for workers during transition in the Hunter.
Blue Mountains MP Trish Doyle, Parliamentary Secretary for Environment, Heritage, Climate Change and Energy will make an address on behalf of NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe.
The summit, being held at Newcastle City Hall, runs from 9am to 4.30pm.
