THE CLIMATE LEADERSHIP SHOWN by the City of Newcastle has seen it take out two national climate gongs at the Cities Power Partnership Awards held in Sydney tonight.
The Climate Council’s Cities Power Partnership Awards recognise the work of climate heroes in local governments across the country who are transforming Australia’s energy landscape.
Newcastle took top honours in the Sustainable Transport category for its Smart Moves program, which applies leading edge technology and innovative thinking to support integrated transport networks with a focus on last-mile solutions.
The work of council staff in driving the city’s climate response was also celebrated, with Adam Clark, City of Newcastle’s Program Coordinator for City Innovation and Sustainability, taking out the Climate Champion Award.
Climate Champion Adam Clarke said that Newcastle’s transformation into a smart, future-ready city was already well underway.
“City of Newcastle has a proud history of embedding sustainability into the way we do business,” he said.
“Investing in energy efficiency, our solar farm, waste reduction and now leading the charge on sustainable transport, the City is focused on reducing our emissions, supporting new industries and doing our bit to tackle climate change.”
David Craven, director of the Cities Power Partnership congratulated City of Newcastle, noting that the two winning entries shone in a competitive field.
“Newcastle’s Smart Moves program shows how local governments can create far-reaching and practical sustainable transport solutions,” he said.
“I’d also like to congratulate Adam Clarke for taking out the Climate Champion Award. Adam has made a significant contribution to the City of Newcastle, leading a range of projects across MW-scale solar, street lighting upgrades, rooftop solar, electric vehicle and battery storage.”
“Through sharing technical knowledge and lessons learnt with a range of stakeholders including other councils in the Cities Power Partnership, Adam has demonstrated impressive abilities as a Climate Champion.”
This year’s awards saw a record-breaking number of entries, which David Craven said reflects the extent to which local governments are emerging as a vital part of Australia’s climate solution.
“The local climate solutions on display at these awards are tangible proof that Australian communities are rising up to meet the challenges of climate change,” he said.
“From carbon-neutral kindergartens through to ambitious projects installing solar battery systems in thousands of homes and businesses, Cities Power Partnership councils are leading the way with practical local climate solutions.”
The Cities Power Partnership Awards celebrated outstanding work from local governments in the fields of renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable transport, community engagement and project funding as well as individual climate champion awards.
This is the second year Newcastle has been recognised in the awards, after taking out the Energy Efficiency Achievement Award in 2018 for the Newcastle Museum energy upgrade.
FULL LIST OF AWARD WINNERS
Renewable Energy Achievement Award
Winner: Next Gen Energy Storage Program, ACT Government
Energy Efficiency Achievement
Winner: Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme, ACT Government
Sustainable Transport Achievement Award
Winner: Smart Moves Newcastle, City of Newcastle
Community Engagement Achievement Award
Winner: The Butterfly Effect, Albert Park Kindergarten and City of Port Phillip
Project Financing Innovation Award
Winner: Carbon Revolving Reserve, Blue Mountains City Council
Ambassador Award (elected representative)
Winner: Cr Tony Wellington, Mayor of Noosa Shire Council
Climate Champion Award (council staff)
Winner: Adam Clarke, Program Coordinator, City Innovation and Sustainability, City of Newcastle
IMAGE GALLERY
