Canberra remains a leader on climate action with a new report highlighting the ACT’s climate change achievements for 2020-21.
Minister for Emissions Reduction Shane Rattenbury today released the annual report reviewing progress towards the ACT’s climate change and emissions reduction commitments.
“As we see increasing ambition on climate change globally, including actions committed at last month’s COP26, this annual report is a chance for us to reflect on local actions we are taking here in the ACT towards our climate change commitments to become a net zero emissions city by 2045,” Minister Rattenbury said.
“Leading cities like Canberra play an important role in demonstrating how we can cut emissions and build resilience to climate change impacts. We may be small, but we have big climate aspirations and the example we are setting to the rest of Australia, and internationally, is something that all Canberrans can be proud of.
“The report outlines the comprehensive suite of actions being implemented by the ACT Government and the ACT community to address climate change. It includes progress updates for all actions in the ACT Climate Change Strategy 2019-25, Canberra’s Living Infrastructure Plan and the ACT’s Transition to Zero Emissions Vehicles Action Plan 2018-2021. Some of the highlights from the report include:
- The ACT was powered by 100% renewable electricity for a second consecutive year, preventing approximately 2,029 kilo tonnes of carbon emissions being released into our atmosphere, or 55% of the ACT’s total emissions footprint.
- Establishing the Sustainable Household Scheme, offering interest free loans of up to $15,000 for sustainable home upgrades, and zero emissions vehicles
- Continuing the Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme and the small-scale and large-scale feed in tariff schemes, which together contributed approximately $153.69 in savings to a representative household electricity bills.
- Establishing Australia’s first hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle government fleet along with the first publicly available hydrogen refuelling station.
- Helping households, businesses and schools reduce their emissions through government programs.
- Funding community projects to support our transition to net zero emissions.
- Implementing a two-year registration waiver for zero emissions vehicles.
“We can all be proud of the progress we have made so far in meeting our 100% renewable electricity target and reducing our emissions by over 40% from 1990 levels. As we look to the next challenge of reducing emissions from our major emitting sectors of transport (around 60% of emissions) and gas use (around 20% of emissions), cutting emissions will rely more than ever on the participation of everyone in our community,” Minister Rattenbury said.
“We have achieved a lot so far and I’m confident that we will continue to make good progress thanks to the commitment of all those in our community who are choosing to make changes in their day to day lives and business operations to reduce emissions.”
To find out what you can do to help tackle climate change in the ACT, visit the Everyday Climate Choices website.
