October 19, 2023
Brisbane City Council’s recognition of Gold Level in the SDG Cities Global Initiative awarded at the Asia-Pacific Cities Summit in Brisbane, Australia on 12 October 2023
UN-Habitat recognized Brisbane’s achievement of the SDG Cities Global Initiative Gold Level on October 12, 2023 at the Asia-Pacific Cities Summit in Brisbane, Australia.
The Sustainable Development Goals are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. UN-Habitat’s SDG Cities initiative is a collaborative endeavour that aims to work with 1000 cities and support them in achieving these goals, and ultimately benefit a population of 1 billion people. Brisbane’s achievement of the Gold level – only the second city to do so – represents its firm commitment to achieving these goals, thus improving the well-being of its residents and transforming into a socially inclusive, environmentally conscious, and climate-neutral city that leaves no one and no place behind. To do this, Brisbane City Council conducted a thorough baseline data assessment of the city's accomplishment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and consolidated an inclusive, strategic vision and plan with transformative actions to achieve the SDGs by 2030, which was captured in the city’s Action-Oriented Voluntary Local Review. (https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2023-10/Brisbane%20City%20Council%20Voluntary%20Local%20Review%20-%20MASTER%20-%2012.10.2023%20%281%29.pdf)
Some of Brisbane’s exciting SDG projects include the establishment of a network of green bridges, strengthening non-motorized mobility and establishing numerous ninja parks connects inclusion, fitness and fun.
As the Lord Mayor mentioned at the Asia-Pacific Cities Summit, the gold level was recognition for all the work Council does to ensure Brisbane remains clean, green and sustainable.
“Our practical approach towards sustainability was not just about cutting waste and emissions but cutting costs for residents and making our city better for future generations,” he said.
“This accreditation recognizes the raft of measures our Council team continues to undertake to keep Brisbane clean and green, to preserve our unique lifestyle and ensure we grow sustainably is working.
“For example, we’re introducing the new Brisbane Metro, a fully-electric high-capacity mass transit system that will save 50,000 tonnes of emissions over 20 years but also get people where they want to go more efficiently.
“We’re investing in green bridges with the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge to not only remove 80,000 cars a year from our roads but deliver a long-needed connection across the river from Brisbane’s CBD.”
Through the SDG Cities Global Initiative, UN-Habitat will continue to collaborate with Brisbane City Council as it continues its SDG journey and translates strategic priorities to action and measurable impact. To learn more about the SDG Cities Initiative please check out: www.sdg-cities.org/