Climate action at Council

Council is taking a number of actions to combat climate change and achieve zero emissions. This includes investing in solar power at seven Council sites, take a look at our live solar production dashboard below!

Zero Emissions Shellharbour

In 2022, Council endorsed our Zero Emissions Shellharbour Strategy, which defines our path toward achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions, and maps a series of goals to track our progress.

The Strategy sets the goal for net zero Council operational emissions by 2035, and net zero community emissions for our LGA by 2050. We are committed to this goal, and to building a resilient and adaptive community, for the long-term sustainability of Shellharbour.

What does Net Zero Emissions mean?

Net zero emissions (also known as being carbon neutral) means any greenhouse gases generated by Council or the community are equal to the amount of greenhouse gases removed from the atmosphere.

We will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions where we can, although, where we are not able to, we have the option to offset our emissions. Offsetting means we do something that removes more carbon to make up for the extra emissions we created. This can include things like planting trees or investing in renewable energy such as wind, solar or wave energy.

Climate & Sustainability Policy

Our Climate & Sustainability Policy supports our Zero Emissions Shellharbour Strategy by aligning operational and strategic council planning towards net zero. This will enable us to:

  • Achieve Council’s net zero operational and community targets.
  • Build climate resilience in Shellharbour City for now and into the future.
  • Promote environmental sustainability and protect the ecological values of Shellharbour City for the health and wellbeing of the community.
  • Engage with the community throughout the net zero journey to educate, support and empower sustainable action from all Shellharbour residents.
     

Zero Emissions Shellharbour Strategy 

The Zero Emissions Shellharbour Strategy defines our path toward achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions for both Council and our community. It also maps a series of goals to track our progress.

These include goals to address Council operational emissions from electricity, fuel, natural gas, waste or offsetting remaining emissions. The Strategy sets the goal for net zero by 2035 for Council’s operational emissions. Council is also committed to supporting the community to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and building a resilient and adaptive community, for the long-term sustainability of Shellharbour City

 

Cities Power Partnership

Council is a member of the Cites Power Partnership, Australia’s largest local government climate network. Founded by the Climate Council of Australia, the partnership is made up of over 175 councils and recognises and supports emissions reduction projects. Local councils that join the partnership make five action pledges to tackle climate change.

In March 2019, we committed to work towards the following pledges:

  • Ensure Council fleet purchases met strict greenhouse gas emissions requirements and support the uptae of hybrid and/or electric vehicles
  • Provide a fast-charging user pays infrastruture htroughout the city at key locations for electric vehicles
  • Set minimum energy efficiancy benchmarks for all planning applications
  • Adopt best practice efficiency measures across all Council buildings, and support community facilities to adopt these measures
  • Install solar power on council buildings

 

What has Council achieved so far?

We're on a quest to reduce and offset emissions across the organisation, and will report annually on our progress towards our net zero target. These actions and our progress to date are below.  

Sustainability Revolving Fund  

To finance our objectives under the Zero Emissions Shellharbour Program, Council has established an internal Sustainability Revolving Fund. The fund operates as a forward funding financial reserve. It will accelerate our transition to net zero operational emissions by allowing financial savings from sustainability projects to be reinvested back into future projects that foster sustainability, trial innovative new sustainable technologies, and contribute to the achievement of our climate and sustainability objectives. Find out more

Electricity

Goal

Financial Year 23 Progress  Status
Transition to 100% renewable electricity by 2025 100% of Council sites on a Renewable Power Purchase Agreement, or green power contract. Our Renewable Power Purchase Agreement sources power from wind and solar, and supplements the additional energy required for our sites from the grid.   On Track
Maximise renewable energy generation on Council owned assets Installed a 99kW solar system at Dunmore Recycling & Waste Disposal Depot. The waste depot joins other solar installations, bringing Council’s total renewable energy generation capacity to 380 kW.  On Track
Maximise the energy efficiency of existing Council assets and operations 80% of street lighting across the LGA upgraded to energy efficient LED. When compete, this upgrade will save Council around 1,091 tonnes of CO2e per year On Track
Minimise the emissions footprint of new Council assets through innovative design Council engaged a consultant to assist with developing an environmentally sustainable design tool for asset design and scoping to reduce environmental impact and emissions of our assets.  On Track

Fuel

Goal Financial Year 23 progress  Status  
Transition passenger fleet to hybrid vehicles 84% of Council’s passenger fleet vehicles are now hybrid On Track
Pursue alternative renewable fuel sources for fleet and equipment We’ve added our first fully electric vehicle to our fleet and began investigating opportunities for additional electric vehicles.  On Track
Investigate transition of plant and heavy vehicle fleet to lower emissions technologies Action planned to commence in the financial year 2023/24.Future Action

 

Natural gas

Goal Financial Year 23 progress  Status  
Transition to alternative energy sources at gas using Council facilities  Action planned to commence in the financial year 2023/24. Future Action

Waste

Goal Financial Year 23 progress  Status  
Maximise the amount of waste diverted from landfill through best practice in waste avoidance, recovery and management 

 An average of 54% of waste is diverted from landfill. Council continues to provide residents with Food Organics and Garden Organics bins.

On Track
Investigate opportunities to efficiently capture landfill gas and convert it to energy 

75% completion of new Waste Strategy 2023-2033.  

On Track

 

Governance

Goal Financial Year 23 progress  Status  
Complete an audit of Council’s baseline emissions data Independent consultant completed review of Council’s baseline emissions for financial year 2019/20.  On Track
Improve Council’s data management system to align with the requirements of the Australian Climate Active standard Procured emissions accounting system Trellis to track emissions reduction in line with Climate Active standards.  Completed
Establish a Sustainability Revolving Fund to fund ongoing emissions reduction projects 

Action planned to implement fund in the financial year 2023/24. 

Future Action
Update Council systems and procedures to include emissions reduction considerations 

Action planned to implement fund in the financial year 2023/24. 

Future Action

 

Scope 3 Emissions

Scope 3 emissions refers to indirect greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the activities of Council, but from sources not owned or controlled by the organisation. These are often known as value chain emissions. Scope 3 is often the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, and represent significant opportunities for reduction in greenhouse emissions.

GoalFinancial Year 23 progress  Status
Define and measure Scope 3 operational emissions in line with the Australian Climate Active standard Expanded Council’s Scope 3 (value chain emissions) measurement to include construction emissions from Council assets and completed a Scope 3 emissions gap analysis.  Completed
Embed emission reduction considerations into procurement policies and procedures 90% completion on a Sustainable Procurement Action Plan. Implementation of actions will occur over financial year 2024/25.  Completed
Provide education and opportunities for staff to reduce Scope 3 emissions associated with their employment Action planned to commence in the financial year 2023/24. Future Action
Undertake trials of recycled and low carbon materials in capital works projects Action planned to commence in the financial year 2023/24. Future Action

 

Carbon Offsets

GoalFinancial Year 23 progress  Status
Investigate opportunities to undertake offset projects on Council owned land Action planned to commence from financial year 2024/25. Future Action
Develop a Carbon Emission Offset Policy Action planned to commence from financial year 2025/26.  Future Action
Become certified carbon neutral under the Australian Climate Active standard by 2035 Action scheduled to commence over the next 10 years.  Future Action

 

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Electric Vehicle Charging Facilities

Two wall-mounted electric vehicle charging ports are available in the Shellharbour Civic Centre Public Carpark.
Last updated : Wed 29 Nov 2023