Community health and service organisations play a critical role in building resilience to the social and health impacts of climate change. But without the resources to plan and adapt, the sector itself is highly vulnerable to climate impacts, posing a risk of significant flow-on-effects for the Victorians they support.
The Mobilising Climate Just and Resilient Communities in Melbourne’s West initiative, was led by Jesuit Social Services’ Centre for Just Places, with funding from Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, and brought together 44 health and community service organisations, as well as policymakers, and sector networks, to identify needs, opportunities, and a strategic direction for action and advocacy in this region.
The Collaborative Action Plan reflects and builds on the diverse contributions of individuals and organisations already working at the interface of climate change, health and social justice in Melbourne’s west, and seeks to further understand the localised and systemic drivers of climate vulnerabilities for community health and service organisations in Melbourne’s west – defined as the local council areas of Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melton and Wyndham.