Darebin Council has taken the lead on reducing greenhouse emissions with its Climate Change Action Plan and a commitment to being carbon neutral by 2020. Adopted in June 2007, the Climate Change Action Plan not only shows how Council will reduce its emissions, but also provides an impressive example to the Darebin community.
Darebin CEO, Michael Ulbrick, said Council decided it was time to initiate change from the grass roots level.
The Plan includes purchasing GreenPower for Council buildings, an energy efficiency program, community programs, sustainable travel initiatives and an investigation of efficient public lighting and cogeneration.
The purchase of 100 per cent GreenPower for all Council owned and managed buildings will reduce Council’s greenhouse gas emissions by around 4,600 tonnes, the equivalent of taking more than 1,000 cars off the road.
Council has already purchased GreenPower for its entire Civic Centre precinct, and will convert the rest of its buildings from 1 July.
Another crucial part of the plan is reducing energy use through an extensive energy efficiency program that uses new technologies and staff education. New Council buildings will be designed to be carbon neutral and all new projects must now take greenhouse emissions into consideration.
Through the Plan, Darebin is now on track to achieving its 2010 emissions target one year early.
Council’s Climate Change Action Officer, Stuart Nesbitt, said the energy efficiency program is exceeding expectations.
“At this stage in the Plan, we originally expected to be saving around 600 tonnes in corporate greenhouse gas emissions per year from energy efficiency works,” he said. “However, we have surpassed this level quite significantly and are looking at a 900 tonne and $47,000 a year savings from energy efficiency.”
One of the Action Plan’s initiatives is the trial of a European developed air conditioning control system in one of Council’s buildings. By controlling the pressure, temperature and airflow in the building, the system has saved 30 per cent of the building’s energy use.
“Buildings are the most energy intensive assets and air conditioning systems are generally the worst appliance in them,” Stuart Nesbitt said. “Introduced late last year, we have found that the Bauer control system is capable of saving significant amounts of electricity in summer, and reduces our gas consumption in winter.
“Once the trial is complete and we have a complete assessment, Council will consider implementing the system across all its large buildings.”
Darebin also has a wide range of programs to encourage the community to follow its lead. These include the Sustainable Homes Workshop program, Going Places travel reward scheme and the Community Power program, which has increased the uptake of GreenPower in the community.
“Our Climate Change Action Plan lays the groundwork for achieving carbon neutrality in 2020,” Michael Ulbrick said. “It proves we are a tangible expression of our slogan – ‘Think Climate, Make Change at Darebin’.”
For further information contact Stuart Nesbitt on (03) 8470 8514.
