As many councils are actively discussing and reviewing their carbon offset strategies, the Goulburn Murray Climate Alliance (GMCA) has partnered with the North East Catchment Management Authority, and Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority to hold an in-person forum and workshop to create understanding, awareness and a desire to participate by Victorian LGAs in opportunities to invest in nature that not only achieve their “real zero” aspirations, but also benefit biodiversity, and regional development. This could potentially give rise not only to local government offsets, but to a range of localised co-benefits across biodiversity, the Victorian agricultural economy, habitat, and ecology (and more).

The first half of the forum will be to hear examples and case studies where this is already happening in Victoria, and the second part (after lunch) will be a facilitated discussion and workshop to create the framework of future partnerships, and then we hope, a call to action.

Interested staff, executives and councillors from metro and regional councils, and their agency partners are invited to join us for this exciting, and innovative exploration. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Our full suite of speakers is still being confirmed and will be forwarded to ticket-holders in the next few weeks. Also included is a 101 introduction for those who are somewhat new to the offset world so everyone can fully participate in the day.