Kiama Municipal Council (Council) is committed to minimising its impact by reducing emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change. This will be achieved by harnessing technology in order to reduce energy usage and transition to low emissions and renewable energy sources. Council has set an ambitious target of achieving net zero emissions by 2031 for all of its operations, facilities and services, including an interim target of 50% of electricity from renewable sources by 2025.
Already Council has implemented a number of emissions reduction actions including energy efficiency upgrades, on-site generation of renewable energy and organisational education initiatives. This has resulted in a steady decline of greenhouse gas emissions that is monitored and reported through a robust carbon accounting program. Economic opportunities have also been taken advantage of through energy cost savings and financial incentives that allow for future funding and budget certainty.
This ten year Corporate Emissions Reduction Plan sets out a pathway to achieve further emissions reductions and lays the foundation to reach net zero by 2031. Building on past success and knowledge, priority actions within the Plan focus on researching innovative and proven emissions reduction technologies, reducing energy consumption and replacing current energy sources to cleaner alternatives. To meet the challenges of addressing the climate emergency it will take a collective effort from all aspects of government and the Community. To complement this plan a Community Emissions Reduction Plan will also be developed to facilitate sharing knowledge, research and experience to support the local community in driving down emissions in the Kiama Local Government Area (LGA) and help deliver our vision for a sustainable and liveable community.
