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
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.
| Goal | Financial 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
| Goal | Financial 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 |
