In October 2002 Melbourne City Council adopted net zero emission targets by 2020, the first council in Australia to do so. The planning for the strategy was “born out of the realisation that more ambitious goals were needed if climate change was to be stabilised.” While still focusing on achieving economic growth, they plan to reduce overall energy consumption in buildings across Melbourne by 50 per cent by 2010. Half of the council's energy will come from renewable sources, while they will naturally sequester 800,000 tonnes of carbon per annum. The total cost of implementing the strategy over the first five years is estimated at only $1.75 million, with an additional $322,000 coming from commercial investments.
This represents less than 1 per cent of the council's annual budget of $161 million.
Local Governments for Sustainability: The City of Melbourne's net zero emission strategy.
“A roadmap to a climate neutral city”: Melbourne City Council's 2002 net zero emissions report.
At a council meeting on the 13th March 2007 the Shire of Yarra Ranges pledged to spend $790,000 to become a carbon neutral organisation within twelve months. Recognising that climate change “is one of the most serious challenges facing this and future generations,” they formally adopt a series of measures to immediately reduce their carbon emissions. All emissions from the council's vehicle fleet will be offset with the plantation of 60,000 trees, while 100 per cent GreenPower will be purchased to offset stationary
energy emissions.
Yarra Ranges' Climate Change Commitment
Reference 2
On April 10th 2007 Beyond Zero Emissions distributed a media release titled “Zero In on Good Council.”
Amongst other things it called on the Federal Government to follow the lead of a minority of councils to adopt carbon neutral targets. The media release got a excellent response around the country from councillors trying to push zero emission targets in their own municipality.
Read “Zero In on Good Council” here.
Noosa Council response to the media release
At a council meeting on the 16th April 2007 the City of Moreland unanimously endorsed to adopt the target of net zero emissions by 2020. The council's climate action plan delineates how they “will achieve major greenhouse emission reductions and financial savings through energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption.”
No longer 'business as usual' on climate change: Moreland goes net zero emissions
At a council meeting on April 17th 2007 Maribyrnong City Council passed a resolution to become carbon neutral across council operations by 2015, and across the entire community (residential and commercial) by 2020. Mayor Michael Clarke said "Global warming will not just devastate our environment; it’ll also impact communities, economies and quality of life. We're all responsible and it's up to every single one of us to do something about." To achieve these goals the council will look to fast track large scale sustainability projects, and purchasing greenpower. The council has already looked into building a $3 million wind turbine next to the West Gate Bridge. Maribyrnong Council's sustainability and environment manger Gavin Mountjoy said the turbine would be a symbol “for everyone who goes over the West Gate Bridge, that in Maribyrnong we are serious about promoting renewable energy.” Cr Clarke understands the challenge in moving the community to carbon neutrality, as they are beyond direct control. But what Maribyrnong Council will do is help “our residents and businesses access information and provide opportunities for them to change their practices and behaviour.”
Net zero emission: Maribyrnong Council's plan
Maribyrnong Council considers building wind turbine
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