Council business carbon-neutral

THE Surf Coast Shire’s corporate operations for the 2021-22 financial year have been certified as carbon neutral, a key objective of its Climate Emergency Corporate Response Plan.

Since declaring a Climate Emergency in 2019, the shire has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions at its facilities by installing rooftop solar systems with battery storage, purchased 100 per cent renewable electricity and bought offsets for the remainder of its corporate emissions.

“We hope that our leadership in this area inspires organisations and individuals across the shire to act on the Climate Emergency by switching to renewables and seeking sustainable alternatives – many small steps can combine to make a big difference,” shire mayor Libby Stapleton said.

The shire has set itself the goal of having zero emissions from all its operations by 2030, with the exclusion of the Anglesea landfill, that over the 2021-22 reporting period constituted approximately 15,720 tonnes of its overall carbon footprint of 19,151 tonnes.

In May, the council flagged that its 2030 net-zero target was “at risk” due to future emissions from its yet-to-be-constructed Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre if were it to proceed as first proposed with gas power, but that plan now appears in doubt as it reviews the cost of the entire project.

One option on the table is to switch the centre to electric power that can be sourced from renewables, but this approach is yet to be fully costed and is considered to be a higher upfront cost, albeit one that could lead to lower ongoing operating costs.

All of the shire’s light vehicles are scheduled to be electric by 2028 and remaining vehicles including trucks and excavators are targeted for transition by 2030. Gas hot water and heating systems are also being switched out for renewable powered electric versions.

Steps are being taken to reduce emissions from the landfill site, including methane flaring and the diversion of organic waste for composting and future power generation via Barwon Water’s
Regional Renewable Organics Network, however it is projected to remain a liability for decades and require the ongoing purchase of carbon offsets.

The shire is collaborating with regional partners including the Barwon South West Climate Alliance to investigate the establishment of local offset projects within the shire, but to date its purchase of offset units are for projects linked to bush regeneration in Queensland, forest and habitat protection in Tasmania and Peru, and wind power projects in India and China.