Reducing local government greenhouse gas emissions

Local governments in Tasmania have many opportunities to reduce the emissions associated with their operations and services. Reducing emissions and using resources efficiently will not only deliver environmental benefits, but can also deliver cost savings.

For some advice about actions councils can take, take a look at our tips for businesses and resources for businesses. Councils can also consider:

• using emissions-reporting software to generate reports to monitor energy and fuel-use trends and help identify projects to achieve savings; and
• investing in the Home Energy Audit Toolkit (HEAT), to help households understand how they use energy.

Transport

Electric vehicles in local government

The Smarter Fleets Program supported Tasmanian councils to prepare to introduce electric vehicles into their fleets. The Program included analysis of the existing fleet to calculate the environmental benefits and cost reductions that electric vehicles can offer.

The nine participating council fleets received tailored advice identifying electric vehicles and charging infrastructure that meet each council’s needs. The Program encouraged sharing of technical expertise. The Smarter Fleets Program is complemented by the ChargeSmart grants program to develop a network of electric vehicle charging infrastructure across Tasmania.

ChargeSmart grants program

TCCO provided ChargeSmart grant funding to councils to support the installation of electric vehicle charging stations.
Destination and Fast Charging Grants (2019).

• Successful Destination Charging grant recipients (up to $2,500) included Brighton Council, Clarence City Council and two projects with the City of Launceston.
• Successful Fast Charging grant recipients (up to $50,000) included City of Hobart, Huon Valley Council, and Devonport City Council.
  Workplace Charging Grants (2018)
• Successful grant recipients (up to $5,000) included City of Launceston, Meander Valley Council, Central Coast Council, and Huon Valley Council.

Local governments across Tasmania and Australia are showing leadership in emissions reduction activities, both within their own operations and across their communities. Explore some highlights using the links below.

Tasmanian councils

• Hobart City Council
  The City of Hobart has a strong focus on sustainability. The City of Hobart has committed to:
  • 70 per cent emissions reduction on 2000 levels by 2010 (achieved 75 per cent reduction)
  • 17 per cent emissions reduction on 2010 levels by 2020
  • 35 per cent energy reduction on 2010 levels by 2020 (achieved 30 per cent by 2015)
• Launceston City Council
  The City of Launceston aims to achieve 100 per cent neutrality of carbon emission and to move towards 100 per cent renewable energy by 2025.
• Kingborough Council
  Kingborough Council has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
• Southern Midlands Council
  Think heritage buildings can’t be energy efficient? Southern Midlands council significantly reduced energy consumption of the Oatlands Town Hall, by retrofitting insulation, double-glazing, sealing draughts and installing sensor-operated lighting.

Other Australian councils

• City of Adelaide
  The Carbon Neutral Adelaide program supports South Australia’s goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
• City of Fremantle
  The City of Fremantle is collecting accolades for its participation in the One Planet Living program, promoting sustainability at a corporate and community level.
• City of Melbourne
  The City of Melbourne plans to become a Zero Net Emission City by 2040. Emissions from council operations have been cut by 53 per cent between 2013 and 2019.
• City of Sydney
  Targets for the entire City of Sydney local area include 50 per cent of electricity to be renewable by 2030; 70 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030; and net zero emissions by 2050.
• City of Yarra
  Since January 2019, all council's organisational electricity needs have been met by 100 per cent renewable energy and Yarra Council operates as a certified carbon neutral organisation.

More information for local government is available on our Local government climate change adaptation page and Local government area climate profiles page.