Three Canberra environment not-for-profit organisations – the Canberra Environment Centre, SEE Change, and the Conservation Council ACT Region – have called for political parties to commit to improving funding of the sector in the mid-year budget and 2024 ACT Government election.

“At a time of extreme weather events, increased pollution, and more wildlife at risk of extinction, local Canberra environment not-for-profit organisations are essential to community wellbeing, yet are severely underfunded despite the ACT government declaring a Climate Emergency in 2020,” the parties said in a joint statement.

The ACT government contracts the organisations to educate and advise on environmental matters, including achieving net zero emissions by 2045, the circular economy, and restoring and conserving natural places in the ACT. They offer repair cafes, the Canberra Electric Bike library, and educational workshops on growing food, reducing waste, composting, and switching to an all-electric home. Through advocacy, the organisations say they protect hollow-bearing trees, save local wildlife (such as the gang-gang cockatoo and Canberra dragon) from extinction, care for and regenerate nature reserves, and help create a clean and healthy environment.

However, the organisations say the operational funding they receive from the government is insufficient to meet additional costs due to inflation, rising insurance, complexity of work, financial accountability, risk management, competitiveness in the ACT labour market, insecure tenancy, and the increased need for an online presence. Each week, for instance, SEE Change turns away volunteers due to insufficient resources to support volunteers and their projects, executive director Paula Mance said.

“Lack of funding certainty makes it difficult to invest in people and systems, plan for the future and retain staff,” the organisations said. “Current funding only supports less than one Full Time Equivalent staff member per organisation, which is significantly smaller in comparison to other sectors . Additionally, a basic set of workplace entitlements and secure accommodation cannot be provided to meet contemporary employee expectations, such as working technology, EAP and staff training.”

The organisations argue that more funding would increase their ability to reduce greenhouse emissions, promote sustainability, and conserve biodiversity.

“The Government needs to adequately fund the local environment organisations to prove it takes nature protection and a safe climate future seriously,” said Elle Lawless, executive director of the Conservation Council ACT Region.

“Now is the time to invest in community-based environment education, the need has never been greater,” Fiona Veikkanen, executive director of the Canberra Environment Centre, said.

ACT Greens MLA Rebecca Vassarotti, her party’s spokesperson for environment, and minister for the environment, parks, and land management, said:

“The ACT Greens know that grassroots community organisations are the bedrock of efforts to protect the environment in the bush capital and have always fought for increased and reliable funding for them.

“With the first Greens Minister for the Environment, we have increased environment grant funding by 60 per cent – the first significant increase in many years – as well as securing long-term funding for the catchment management groups and ACT Wildlife. We have also recently approved additional funding to assist the Canberra Environment Centre with their relocation.

“However, given the threats of climate change and biodiversity loss, it is evident we need to invest even more in environmental protection. That means investing funds for on the ground projects, and the community organisations that work every day to build a more sustainable future.

“We have been meeting with the Canberra Environment Centre, SEE Change, the Conservation Council ACT Region to understand their needs. Improved funding for the environment and for these groups will be a focus for us through both this year’s Budget discussions, and the Greens’ commitments at the election.”

ACT Labor and the Canberra Liberals were contacted for comment.