Carbon Neutral
In 2008, the City of Sydney became the first carbon neutral government in Australia through energy efficiency, renewable energy and offsets.
We made this commitment voluntarily to:
Reduce impacts of climate change
Prepare for future regulations
Meet public and staff expectations
Show environmental leadership
Influence sustainable market processes
Reduce costs through energy savings
Our target now is a 20 per cent reduction of emissions through energy efficiency by 2012 (based on 2006 levels) and to continue to use 100% GreenPower and other accredited offsets for emissions which can't be avoided.
What is Carbon Neutral?
Carbon neutral can be defined as:
“an umbrella term used to describe a state where emissions have been reduced or offset by a variety of actions, including the reduction of on-site energy consumption, the use of renewable energy for on-site power consumption and the offsetting of remaining emissions.”
Source: Total Environment Centre Carbon Neutral Watch
The key steps
Measure
Accurate accounting of emissions is essential to any carbon neutral claim. In early 2008, the City engaged Hyder Consulting to calculate the City's 2006/07 emissions inventory with independent verification by the company Net Balance.
The emissions inventory was developed based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol framework of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and Natural Resources Institute.
The City chose to include some Scope-3 emissions within its emissions inventory, going beyond many organisations that only include Scope-1 and Scope-2 emissions.
Avoid and reduce
The City has been achieving emissions savings through its Energy Savings Action Plan and Fleet Program and will continue to identify and implement new energy savings programs.
Switch
In becoming carbon neutral the City used 100 per cent GreenPower for its properties and street lighting electricity emissions. Click here for more information.
To assist in selecting the most environmentally beneficial GreenPower product and other offsets, the City commissioned a report which is available for download here.
Offset
Greenhouse gas offsets may reduce a carbon footprint, however should only be used where emission reductions are not feasible. Offsets must be accredited to ensure accountability.
A regular assessment of offset products is contained within the Carbon Offset Guide Australia developed by RMIT.
The City purchased 5,983 tonnes C02e of verified emission reduction (VER) credits accredited by the Australian Government Greenhouse Friendly Program.
These were provided by AGL from landfill flaring projects that convert methane to carbon dioxide (a much less potent greenhouse gas). Other offsets were also purchased through the City's NYE and fleet programs.
City of Sydney net emissions
The City's 2006/07 emissions were calculated to be 48,556 tonnes C02e. The emissions inventory and verification statement is available for download here.
The table below shows the City has a zero net emissions balance.
| Emissions | Tonnes C02e |
| Scope-1 | 4,363 (9%) |
| Scope-2 | 35,002 (72%) |
| Scope-3 | 9,192 (19%) |
| Total | 48,556 |
| GreenPower | -41,687 |
| VER offsets | -5,983 |
| Other offsets | -316 |
| Scope-3 exclusions* | -570 |
| Total | -48,556 |
| Net Emissions | 0 |
* Scope-3 exclusions include emissions from the extraction, production and transport of natural gas and fuel which are
considered to be Scope-1 emissions of mining and energy companies.
What next?
The City engaged Hyder Consulting to develop a 5-year carbon strategy to ensure that City remains carbon neutral in a cost effective and environmentally beneficial manner in accordance with recognised carbon principles.
The strategy will inform future programs and policies and is available for download here.
Our targets
The City of Sydney Environmental Management Plan (EMP) was endorsed by Council on 25 June 2007. In consultation with peak environment groups, Councillors and staff, the EMP established targets and actions for Council to reduce and offset greenhouse gas emissions.
Specifically, the target for Council is:
- 100 per cent offset of greenhouse gas emissions from Council operations and services by 2008. This includes a minimum 20 per cent reduction of Council emissions by 2012 based on 2006 levels through energy savings measures.
Action E06 of the plan states:
- The City of Sydney will become carbon neutral, meaning there will be zero net emissions resulting from our own operations and services. The priority in becoming carbon neutral is to avoid using energy where possible and to achieve maximum energy efficiency. We will use cleaner energy sources and work with key environment groups to invest in programs to offset our total emissions.
Resolutions of Council
23 OCTOBER 2006 - ITEM 14 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
That the City:
- Commits to exceed Kyoto Protocol targets for reducing global warming pollution by reducing the City's dependence on fossil fuels by converting to 100% green power in the short term and reducing the city's actual energy use in the medium term.
20 NOVEMBER 2006 - ITEM 8.3 GREENPOWER
It is resolved that Council endorse:
- the call for tenders to offset 100 per cent of the Councils greenhouse gas emissions for 2007/08 with a view to including this within the 2007/8 budget; and
- using only Government Accredited Green Power and/or other offset mechanisms approved by IPART under the NSW Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme (GGAS) to offset greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible.
Further information
Enquiries about the City of Sydney carbon neutral program can be directed to Nik Midlam nmidlam@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Downloads
- Carbon Neutral Strategy 2008-2012 | PDF 2Mb
- 2006/07 Emissions - Inventory | PDF 600Kb
- 2006/07 Emissions - Independent Verification | PDF 142Kb
- 2006/07 Emissions - Offset Mix Report | PDF 540Kb
- 2006/07 GreenPower Certificate | PDF 98Kb
- 2006/07 Offset Certificate | PDF 61Kb
- 2006/07 Specification for Carbon Neutral Services | PDF 58Kb
- 2007 Live Green Event - Emissions Inventory | PDF 156Kb
To view PDF files you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. Get Acrobat Reader Now. PDF Accessibility.
Last Updated: Thursday 25 September, 2008
