Canberra remains a leader on climate action, said Shane Rattenbury, ACT Minister for Emissions Reduction, who today released a new report highlighting the ACT’s climate change achievements for 2020-21.

The annual report reviews 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,” Mr 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 how the ACT Government and community 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 per cent renewable electricity for a second consecutive year, preventing approximately 2,029 kilo tonnes of carbon emissions being released into our atmosphere, or 55 per cent 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 per cent renewable electricity target and reducing our emissions by over 40 per cent from 1990 levels,” Mr Rattenbury said.

“As we look to the next challenge of reducing emissions from our major emitting sectors of transport (around 60 per cent of emissions) and gas use (around 20 per cent of emissions), cutting emissions will rely more than ever on the participation of everyone in our community,” Mr 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 choose 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.

Legislating ACT climate action – a decade in review

After 10 years in operation, a review of the Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act 2010 has found the legislation continues to successfully drive climate action.

Shane Rattenbury, ACT Minister for Emissions Reduction, said the Act laid the groundwork to meet the government’s emissions reduction target of net zero emissions by 2045 and interim targets.

“The ACT has come a long way over the past decade since this ambitious and world-leading piece of legislation was introduced. Since 2010, we have led the successful transition to 100 per cent renewable electricity, reduced emissions by 40 per cent on 1990 levels, and set a path towards a net zero emissions future for all Canberrans.

“This review ensures the ACT will remain a global climate leader, and makes sure we are on track to meet our future emissions reduction targets and keep our community healthy and safe.”

The independent review recommends ways to meet the government’s climate objectives and to promote greater transparency, accountability, and evidence-based policy decisions.

Mr Rattenbury said the government agreed to nine recommendations, agreed in principle to one, and noted two.

These recommendations include:

• prioritising the functions of the Minister to ensure the ACT continues to meet climate change and emissions reduction objectives;
• introducing new reporting requirements to track climate change and adaptation actions and progress across multiple government directorates;
• introducing an annual Climate Change Council work plan to be developed by the council and agreed to by the Minister;
• further considering the use of sector agreements to encourage community and private sector engagement in emissions reduction activities.

You can find more information on the Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act 2010, including the independent review and government response on the ACT Government’s Environment website.