Climate Summit for Local Government

Sept 6-8, 2023 | Melbourne

Inner West Council's climate and sustainability commitments

Inner West Council is part of the Cities Power Partnership, Australia's largest network of councils leading the way to a sustainable future

  • Traditional Owners Gadigal and Wangal Peoples of the Eora Nation
  • Member since 2017
  • Population 199,759
Feature_icon_1 / Renewable energy

100%

renewable energy for council by 2025

Feature_icon_2 / Solar Energy

100%

renewable energy for community by 2025

feature_icon_3 / CO2 Emissions

Net Zero

council emissions by 2025

Feature_icon_1 / Renewable energy

75%

community emissions reduction by 2036

Our journey

What council has achieved in the past in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transport or broader sustainability

The Inner West Council provides a range of initiatives and projects to facilitate community sustainability, including access to the Our Energy Future program. This project provides residents, businesses and Council staff with access to impartial energy efficiency and renewable-energy advice, as well as request quotes for renewable-energy technology.

Residents can take part in regularly held solar and energy efficiency workshops through the Council’s Green Living Centre.

Its Compost Collective program supports and encourages residents living in multi-unit dwellings to compost. In 2017, the program diverted the equivalent of four tonnes of food and “green” garden waste.

What the council hopes to achieve in the future in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transport or broader sustainability

The Inner West Council has resolved to become 100% carbon neutral and achieve 100% divestment from fossil fuel-aligned investments by the earliest possible date. It is also working towards retrofitting all Council-owned buildings with solar PV cells. To further minimise its carbon footprint, the Council is investigating the viability of transitioning the Inner West Council vehicle fleet to an electric fleet, and exploring opportunities to participate in solar farm initiatives.

What council hopes to gain from being a member of the Cities Power Partnership?

The Cities Power Partnership program will complement the work the Inner West Council is already undertaking to meet its sustainability and renewable-energy targets. It also gives the Council access to the experts and resources to help it become 100% carbon neutral.

Pledges

Council has committed to the following Cities Power Partnership pledges:

Renewable energy
Install renewable energy (solar PV and battery storage) on council buildings.
Power council operations by renewable energy, and set targets to increase the level of renewable power for council operations over time.
Provide incentives and/or remove barriers to encourage local businesses to take up solar power and battery storage.
Work Together and Influence
Develop education and behaviour-change programs to support local residents and businesses to tackle climate change through clean energy, energy efficiency and sustainable transport.
Achieve 100% divestment from fossil fuel aligned investments at the earliest possible date.

In the news

Media Release

Seventeen councils join nationwide call for ambitious Federal Government targets ahead of UN climate summit

13 Oct 2021
Councils have called on the Federal Government to commit to strong, unified action on climate change, ahead of COP26.
Case study

Inner West Council: Pathways to Solar for the Whole Community

14 Apr 2021
In 2018, Inner West found that rooftop solar PV uptake in the region was low, so the council developed a plan to 'Go Solar'.
Video

Australia’s top 7 local government climate projects for 2020

17 Dec 2020
Even in 2020’s difficult circumstances, local councils are rising to the challenges of climate change. From electric buses to solar farms, find out who this…

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