Finding a conversation about climate change when jobs are becoming scarce in a Covid affected world is a challenge, but one that Lismore Council is keeping alive.Now, the City of Lismore joined with 40 other councils across the country, to become a signatory on a joint statement that commits to finding economic recovery solutions that create jobs and tackle climate change. The mass commitment to a sustainable economic recovery has the aim to support industries and sectors that invest in a zero carbon future, along with driving strong economic recovery for communities hit hard by twin climate and Covid-19 crises.PartnershipLismore Councillor Elly Bird said Lismore City Council has been a member of the partnership since 2017 and it “aligns well” with Council’s local strategic planning statement with its focus on resilience and renewable energy.“We are aiming for a 100% renewable energy target by 2023 – and this also aligns with our plan of biodiversity management,” Cr Bird said. “We have always advocated for action on climate change and this statement shows how local government is well positioned to take a lead on this work as we renew the economy too.“The statement from the combined councils actually represents 11 million Australians who have signed up to implement real change. It’s not just tinkering around the edges.“If we all move forward together in this direction, we can make movement toward climate resilience and a healthier economy as we embrace renewables.Big players“Some of the big players in our area such as Enova Energy have been taking up that space.“Council has already have taken action on this, but still have a lot of work to do in terms of ramping up renewables.”Cr Bird said one of the successful renewable energy projects already implemented by Council was the floating solar farm at the Lismore waste water treatment plant.“We won awards for the delivery of that, including a community engagement award for the community owned model we used to get it off the ground – and for working with and alongside community the community.The joint statement, outlines eight solutions from renewable energy through to sustainable transport that put local governments on a practical, jobs-rich path to future-proof cities, reduce energy costs and create more comfortable homes and workplaces. The full list of 41 signatories to the joint statement are:NEW SOUTH WALES (18 mayors / councillors)Albury City Council, Mayor Kevin MackBellingen Shire Council, Mayor Dominic KingBlue Mountains City Council, Mayor Mark GreenhillByron Shire Council, Mayor Simon RichardsonCentral Coast Council, Mayor, Lisa MatthewsDubbo Regional Council, Deputy Mayor Stephen LawrenceGeorges River Council, Mayor Kevin GreenInner West Council, Mayor Darcy ByrneLane Cove Council, Mayor Pam PalmerLismore City Council, Councillor Elly BirdCity of Newcastle, Lord Mayor Nuatali NelmesParkes Shire Council, Mayor Ken KeithRandwick City Council, Mayor Danny SaidCity of Ryde, Mayor Jerome LaxaleShellharbour City Council, Mayor Marianne SalibaCity of Sydney, Lord Mayor Clover MooreTweed Shire, Mayor Chris CherryWagga Wagga City Council, Mayor Greg ConkeyQUEENSLAND (5 mayors / councillors)Brisbane City Council, Lord Mayor Adrian SchrinnerBundaberg Regional Council, Mayor Jack DempseyCairns Regional Council, Mayor Bob Manning Douglas Shire Council, Councillor Abigail NoliNoosa Shire Council, Councillor Brian StockwellVICTORIA (6 mayors/councillors)City of Ballarat, Deputy Mayor Belinda CoatesBaw Baw Shire Council, Councillor Mikaela PowerMornington Peninsula Shire, Mayor Sam HearnStonnington City Council, Mayor Steven StefanopoulosRural City of Wangaratta, Mayor Dean ReesCity of Yarra, Misha Coleman Mayor SOUTH AUSTRALIA (5 mayors / councillors)City of Adelaide, Lord Mayor Sandy VerschoorAlexandrina Council, Mayor Keith ParkesCity of Charles Sturt, Mayor Angela EvansMount Barker District Council, Ann Ferguson, MayorThe City of Mitcham, Mayor Heather Holmes-RossWESTERN AUSTRALIA (7 mayors / councillors)Shire of Augusta-Margaret River, Councillor Naomi GoddenTown of Bassendean, Mayor Renée McLennanCity of Bayswater, Mayor Dan BullCity of Cockburn, Mayor Logan K HowlettCity of Fremantle, Mayor Brad PettittTown of Victoria Park, Mayor Karen VernonCity of Vincent, Mayor Emma Cole