One of Australia’s most beautiful natural areas is determined to be carbon neutral by 2025.
The Blue Mountains, some 50km west of Sydney, was declared a World Heritage Area by UNESCO in 2000. Now, the Blue Mountains City Council has set a carbon neutral target of 2025.
Earlier this year, the council became only the third in NSW to declare a Climate Change Emergency.
Carbon emissions down in the Blue Mountains
Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill said the council had already reduced the amount of carbon emissions from its operations by 22%.
“Our Carbon Revolving Reserve has committed over $1.7 million to energy efficiency and renewable energy by reinvesting the financial savings into new projects,” he said.
“Current projects include installing energy-efficient lighting across council facilities, replacing inefficient street lighting, and installing 289kW of rooftop solar panels on several council facilities.”
Councils take advantage of clean power
Local government areas across Australia are realising the benefits of solar energy.
From July this year, 18 Sydney councils including Parramatta, Campbelltown and North Sydney have been part of a power purchase agreement. Up to 35% of their retail electricity is supplied by a renewable energy generator.
Work has begun on the first sites chosen for a major solar energy push to help councils reach a target of using 100% renewable energy by 2030.
Coffs Harbour City Council is also part of the clean energy drive, targeting 100% renewable energy as an organisation by 2030. Woolgoolga Library and Council’s Woolgoolga Depot are having solar panels fitted under Council’s ‘Powering Ahead’ project.
Down south, the City of Melbourne’s Zero Net Emissions by 2020 Strategy reduces greenhouse gas emissions to maintain carbon neutrality for our operations.
Clean energy a local vote winner
Councils are the tier of government closest to the everyday concerns of residents. For this reason, many councils offer schemes that offer advice or even financial assistance to install solar energy systems.
Councillors who don’t heed the call for cleaner energy at a local level risk losing touch with their constituents.
Uptake of rooftop solar in Australia has topped 2.2 million and it’s rising. Financial incentives to install solar have never been better, as retail power prices remain high.
If you would like to know how to get the benefits of rooftop solar, please contact us for advice and product recommendations.
Leave a Reply