There is growing concern about climate change impacts on local government areas.In Australia, the federal carbon tax (from 1 July 2012) will also increase costs for local councils.This paper evaluates what carbon mitigation (i.e.
energy, water, and waste management) actions have been implemented by metropolitan Bullet Pouches Adelaide councils (n=14) and why (or why not).A survey of environmental officers profiled carbon mitigation actions, emissions auditing, and motives for emissions reduction by Adelaide councils.The main reasons for adopting carbon actions were a climate change plan, climate leadership, and cost savings.Internal council governance of climate change actions was also evaluated.
A climate governance Fill Hose framework based on adaptive management, communication, and reflective practice (Nursey-Bray 2010) was applied to assess climate mitigation by Adelaide councils.