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The ACT has entered a partnership with 35 other regional cities and councils around Australia to decrease their carbon emissions and prevent further impacts of climate change.
Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Shane Rattenbury said the new Cities Power Partnership was aimed at transforming Australia’s energy future from the ground up.
He said the partnership was “a positive way to sidestep political roadblocks and red tape”.
“Canberra is leading the nation with our progressive targets of 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2020, reducing emissions by 40 per cent by 2020, and achieving net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“Many other cities and councils across Australia are also taking the lead on climate change in the absence of ambitious national action.”
He said taking responsibility for climate action was not something that could be done in isolation and that, to achieve real progress, there was a need to seek partners and share experiences.
“Like many other successful cities and councils, we want to tell our good news stories and learn from others about new and better ways of doing things,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“This new partnership will enable the participating 35 cities and councils to identify opportunities for clean energy technology, energy efficiency and ways to adapt to a changing climate.”
He said participants would get access to a national knowledge hub, be partnered with cities to share learnings, and be better connected with community energy groups.
“It will help us deal with issues such as transport, environment, water and climate change adaptation in a cooperative fashion,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“An example could be the electrification of our vehicles to reduce emissions.”
He said to encourage long-distance travel in electric vehicles there would need to be recharging points along the way — something that would require the cooperation of local councils and cities.
For further information on the City of Canberra’s sustainability initiatives, visit their CPP profile page
