The ACT Government has released a new 10-year Climate Change Strategy aimed at cutting emissions, preparing Canberra for worsening climate impacts, and keeping the Territory on track to reach net zero emissions by 2045. 

The ACT Climate Change Strategy 2026–36 sets priorities across eight areas: the natural environment, buildings, transport, energy, waste and the circular economy, hard-to-abate emissions, agriculture, and government operations.

Its first action plan includes measures to reduce urban heat; improve resilience to flash flooding; help community organisations prepare for climate impacts; and embed climate risk management across government.

The government will also launch a Sustainable Apartments Program, advising and helping apartment buildings to move away from gas and switch to electricity.

Climate change minister Suzanne Orr MLA said the stragety was based on the principles of equity and resilience.

Further action plans will be developed over the next decade.

“The ACT remains the national leader on climate action,” Ms Orr said. “We are showing real progress in reducing our emissions, and are now focused on the more complex challenges needed to reach net zero and build a climate-resilient Canberra.”

This year’s budget also funds planning for walking and cycling; research into community needs to foster climate action; development of a carbon offsets policy; and reductions in emissions from government operations. 

The government will also review its Integrated Energy Plan and consult stakeholders on the continued transition away from fossil fuel gas.

The strategy continues the Sustainable Household Scheme; support for electric vehicle chargers; restrictions on new gas connections; purchase of renewable energy; and construction of the Big Canberra Battery and three trial neighbourhood batteries.

ACT Climate Change Council chair Dr Arnagretta Hunter welcomed the strategy’s increased emphasis on both cutting emissions and adapting to climate change.

However, Conservation Council ACT Region executive director Dr Simon Copland said the government’s ambition to make Canberra climate-positive was welcome, but the proposed actions did not match the scale of that goal.

“Ambition without action is just words,” Dr Copland said.

“Once again, we have been presented with a document full of vague statements and few concrete investments that will directly deliver further reductions in emissions in the ACT over the next 10 years.”

He criticised commitments to “investigate” ways to reduce urban heat and encourage greater use of public transport and active travel.

“After years of strategies on issues ranging from climate change to active travel, the community has strategy fatigue,” Dr Copland said.

“We want fewer frameworks and strategies and more direct action to reduce our emissions and adapt to climate change.”

The council nevertheless welcomed the strategy’s focus on equity and resilience, support for vulnerable groups, and the Sustainable Apartments Program.

The Property Council of Australia also welcomed the strategy, describing it as balanced and practical.

ACT executive director Ashlee Berry said climate action must occur alongside housing delivery, economic growth, and affordability.

She welcomed recognition that electrifying commercial buildings, apartments, hotels and mixed-use developments required significant planning, investment and infrastructure coordination.

“The next step will be to work closely with industry to develop practical pathways that help existing buildings electrify,” Ms Berry said.