Lord Mayor of Adelaide City Council Martin Haese has visited the Paris Climate Conference (COP21) to speak about Adelaide’s plans to become the world’s first carbon neutral city by 2020.
“As a city council we’ve already achieved a lot in this space: by decarbonising the city’s electricity supply through sourcing green energy; taking advantage of roof-top solar photovoltaic systems; and significant energy efficiency improvements in new and existing commercial buildings. These changes are real and make a real difference,” said the Lord Mayor.
“Since 2010, Council has reduced its own energy consumption by more than 15% per cent and our associated energy costs by more than $800,000 per year, and we intend to secure further efficiencies to capture the full benefits of a carbon neutral operation by 2020.
“In fact, since 1994, Council has reduced its own carbon emissions by 60%,” he said.
Earlier in the year, Lord Mayor Martin Haese signed the international Compact of Mayors, while the Premier signed the Compact of States and Regions – the first union of its type in the world.
Council and state government’s collaborative approach shows the joint commitment both tiers of government have when it comes to addressing climate change.
“I strongly believe that if we are to be at our most competitive into the future, we must lead by example and show the city, and the rest of South Australia, and ultimately the world, that being sustainable is good for business, good for the environment and good for the future,” said the Lord Mayor.
“There will be huge business benefits available from the reputation that goes with being a progressive, low carbon city. At Adelaide City Council, we lead by example.”
Priority targets for Council over the coming years include increasing city greening through street trees, gardens, plantings, green walls and green or cool roofs; and pursuing decarbonisation of the transport system.
The carbon neutrality plans have been formally endorsed in the City’s Carbon Neutral Strategy 2015-2025.
