Brisbane City Council has announced it will take direct climate action to ensure the city “remains clean and sustainable” into the future.
From 2024-25, the Council says it will switch to investing in more practical carbon emission reduction initiatives rather than continue to purchase carbon offsets.
This new phase of Council’s approach to reducing emissions will mean 100% of the investment in emission reduction will be spent locally in Brisbane and provide direct benefit to residents, it said in a statement.
Council remains committed to achieving its operational emission targets of at least 30% by 2031-32 and net zero emissions, without the purchasing offsets, by 2050.
Brisbane City Council actions to be taken in 2024/25:
- Expanding solar and energy efficient upgrades at Council and community facilities;
- Upgrade of lighting at Sherwood Bus Depot to LED;
- Planning and design for future energy efficiency projects, such as upgrading public lighting to LED.
As part of the switch to more direct action, Council will look to work with the Federal Government to deliver energy efficiency improvements at Council pools, such as solar systems, LED lighting conversions and heat pump upgrades to reduce their energy footprint.
These projects will reduce Council’s emissions footprint while also delivering savings for operators and the community over the long term, said Civic Cabinet Chair for Environment, Parks and Sustainability, Tracy Davis.
“We are taking direct climate action to ensure Brisbane remains clean and sustainable for residents now and into the future,” she said.
“Just like other major organisations like Telstra, we will move away from purchasing carbon offsets in favour of delivering direct action for residents.
“This new approach means we will invest more in local projects that will support our local community groups and operators which will help them save money and operate more sustainably.”
Telstra, which was previously recognised as Australia’s largest carbon neutral organisation, today announced its decision to move away from offsetting via carbon credits in favour of direct action.
