City of Stonnington
Is a Power Partner
We are in the midst of a global climate emergency and we need to take action. While climate change is a global issue, it has local impacts, affecting our environment, economy and the health and wellbeing of our community. All levels of government need to act.
I am proud to be a part of a Council that has adopted a Climate Emergency Action Plan, outlining our bold approach to climate action and our work towards a more sustainable future for all of us.
We can create change and make a difference when we all work together. Through the Cities Power Partnership, I’m looking forward to the City of Stonnington taking a leading role in climate action and getting support to achieve our goals.
Council has chosen the following pledges
Provide incentives and/or remove barriers to encourage local businesses to take up solar power and battery storage.
Ensure Council fleet purchases meet strict greenhouse gas emissions requirements and support the uptake of electric vehicles.
Develop education and behaviour-change programs to support local residents and businesses to tackle climate change through clean energy, energy efficiency and sustainable transport.
Adopt best practice energy efficiency measures across all council buildings, and support community facilities to adopt these measures.
Convert council waste collection fleet to hydrogen or electric power.
City of Stonnington
What council has achieved in the past in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transport or broader sustainability
The City of Stonnington is committed to creating a sustainable, resilient city with enhanced natural and urban environments. Our Council Plan 2017-2021 lists Environment as one of the four pillars that reflect priorities of the community and Council, and are consistent with our vision for a liveable future. The Council Plan contains strategies to manage and use resources efficiently, enhance biodiversity and lead community sustainability.
Supporting the Council Plan, the Sustainable Environment Strategy 2017-2023 reinforces the delivery of these broad strategies and addresses the issues of key importance within the community.
There is a strong imperative for us to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for a changing climate. Climate change will have a significant impact on our strategic goals as well as our operations, assets and areas of service delivery.
Since 2005, we’ve reduced its own corporate emissions by 27 per cent – primarily through reducing energy use in buildings and facilities, LED street light upgrades and installing rooftop solar PV systems.
To date, we’ve upgraded 3,777 street lights to LEDs and installed over 808kW of solar on 30 Council rooftops including pools, sports pavilions, community centres, libraries and childcare centres.
We have met our initial target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent below 2005 levels by 2015 and we are on track to meet our future targets:
– 30 per cent reduction by 2020
– 60 per cent reduction by 2030
What council hopes to achieve in the future in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transport or broader sustainability
Our next steps to reduce energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions will involve energy efficiency upgrades at our pools – our largest energy consumers. We have more street lights to upgrade to LEDs and we’ve recently committed to purchasing 100 per cent renewable energy for Council’s own operations. This commitment will reduce our emissions by over 70 per cent.
Strategy objectives and actions for our priority areas of climate change and energy, waste and resources, water, biodiversity and education, engagement and collaboration are documented in our Sustainable Environment Strategy 2017-2023.
What council hopes to gain from being a member of the Cities Power Partnership
Significant resources have been invested into managing Council’s corporate emissions as well as supporting change at a local level. These efforts have resulted in ongoing energy reductions and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Through our involvement in the Cities Power Partnership, Council will build on this success and continue to engage and support our community to adopt more sustainable practices through education, collaboration and leadership.