Carbon mitigation actions by peri-urban and regional cities in Queensland

Carbon mitigation actions by peri-urban and regional cities in Queensland

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions within cities is a key objective of Australia's national urban policy Our Cities Our Future. During 1997 to 2009, some 238 mainly city councils in ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection program adopted carbon mitigation actions and strategies. Since 2010, the State of Australian Cities reports on key sustainability indicators, including energy, water and waste, for 18 major cities. Under the Clean Energy Act 2011, some 40 city councils including 10 Queensland cities are liable entities required to pay a carbon price as their emissions exceed 25,000tCO2-e a year from a single facility (i.e. landfill). The carbon price of AUD$23tCO2-e from 1 July 2012 also impacts on cities through the increased cost of energy, water, fuel, transport and materials. City councils are thus adopting eco-efficiency measures in energy, water and waste management to reduce operating costs and carbon liability.
This paper reports on carbon mitigation actions by Queensland local councils, including four peri-urban cities (Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay, Redland), five major regional cities (Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Townsville, Toowoomba), and two emerging regional cities (Mackay, Gladstone). Two regional cities considered renewable energy guidelines in planning decisions, while two cities purchased Green Power. Cost savings, environmental regulations, council climate strategies/resolutions and climate leadership were key drivers for Queensland city councils to reduce carbon emissions. Peri-urban cities were opportunistic in adopting carbon actions, while coastal regional cities proactively implemented carbon mitigation actions. The paper discusses barriers and opportunities for city councils in carbon mitigation.

Open access, no restrictions. All papers presented at the SOAC 2013 and subsequently published as part of the proceedings have been subject to a double blind refereeing process.