Last Wednesday the City of Sydney became Australia’s first council to be certified as carbon neutral.
The Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Minister Greg Combet presented the award to the Lord Mayor Clover Moore on behalf of Low Carbon Australia.
“This national accreditation is the seal of approval for the city’s commitment to achieving real reductions in carbon emissions” said Lord Mayor Clover Moore.
Since 2006 Sydney council has reduced its emissions by 6% but the biggest way Council has reduced its footprint it by buying offsets. The emissions included all city operations and buildings, from garbage trucks to Council buildings and streetlights.
A City of Sydney spokesperson said what the City has done “shows that significant action can be taken on a small scale, relatively easily and at relatively low cost, which if more broadly applied could have substantial cumulative impact.”
Since unofficially becoming carbon neutral in 2008, Council has reduced emissions by 210,000 tonnes, the equivalent of 70,000 cars taken off the road a year.
The City is currently on target to reach its 20% reduction in emissions by 2012.
In order to further reduce its carbon footprint and reach their 20% goal by 2012, Council is proposing several technologies that drastically cut emissions.
One such project is a full rollout of LED lighting to replace existing streetlights. Trials in Alexandria Park, Kings Cross, Martin Place and Circular Quay had a positive reception.
A City survey showed over 90% of people found the lights appealing and improved their visibility. The LED trials saw a reduction of 40% in energy consumption.
A City of Sydney spokesperson said: “The City of Sydney is one of the largest users of street lighting in NSW with 22,000 street and park lights…The City spent $3.5 million on electricity and $2 million on maintenance between 08/09.”
Another key Council initiative over the next three to five years will be the introduction of a $12 million solar panel project.
With the Carbon Tax coming through the senate Australia is showing its intentions to tackle climate change at a federal and local level.
A spokesperson for Minister Greg Combet’s office said: “As people place a higher value on cutting carbon pollution, it will become more worthwhile for organizations to demonstrate their own actions to combat climate change.”
Any organisations are already doing this. Major companies including Westfield, GPT Group and Stockland are already using new Tri-generation energy systems. These systems are three times more energy efficient than a coal fired power station.
By Christian Meagher
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