Canberra, 13 October, 2021: The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) Board has chosen the International Day of Disaster Recovery to issue a statement confirming ALIA’s position on climate change and to announce a target for the Association being ‘carbon neutral by 2030’.
ALIA President Vicki Edmunds explained, ‘As part of ALIA’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the Board has sanctioned a number of initiatives including the launch of SDG stretch targets last month and the commissioning of a Greening Libraries research project. This statement and our goal of being carbon neutral as an Association, are the next logical steps, supported by our ALIA Green Group.’
Carbon neutrality will be achieved through environmental initiatives at ALIA House, the Association’s Canberra office, and by working with ALIA Groups, on conferences and events, to ensure that ALIA conserves natural resources, minimises consumption and wastage and is a responsible energy user.
The ALIA Board statement in part reads, ‘The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) Board accepts that climate change is a dangerous reality and that its effects pose an increasing threat to libraries and the communities they serve.
‘Living in a country that is particularly vulnerable to environmental extremes, it is critical that all Australians have access to the information they need to make informed decisions about climate change and how it affects their lives. Our global goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 can only be met by government, industry and civil society, if leaders have the grass roots support of individuals, families and community groups.
‘Libraries and library and information professionals are rising to the challenge, leading by example, promoting awareness, providing evidence-based information, supporting adaptation and helping to mitigate the impact on the most vulnerable in our society. ALIA itself is responding to climate change through support and encouragement for its Members, measures to reduce our own environmental footprint and being an active participant in efforts to improve the outlook for our planet.’
It concludes, ‘The ALIA Board is committed to working towards a sustainable future and recognises that unfettered climate change is one of the greatest threats to our survival.
Read the full statement here.