Towards a more sustainable Canberra: ACT Government priorities and programs Stephen Bygrave, Executive Director Climate Change and Sustainability Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate SEE-Change Parliament of Youth on Sustainability October 2017

What goals and targets has the ACT Government set ?

Energy Targets World leading targets 100% renewable electricity by 2020 40% emissions reduction by 2020 from 1990 level Net zero emissions by 2050 (at the latest) Developing 2030 and 2040 interim targets The ACT founded the Climate Action Roundtable in 2016 to provide a forum for working with other Australian jurisdictions on climate action.

This map shows the location of the ACT’s renewable energy projects (SA, Vic, NSW and ACT). Together these projects generate the equivalent amount of electricity used in the ACT each year.

5,000 homes and businesses by 2020 Battery storage 200 homes 2016 600 homes 2017 5,000 homes and businesses by 2020 The Renewables Innovation Hub (the ‘Hub’) was launched as a base for industry partners within the ACT’s thriving renewable energy industry. Battery rollout: The $25 million Next Generation Energy Storage Grants program, continued to support the roll out of solar battery storage in Canberra homes and businesses. Supporting the renewable energy industry: A $1.2 million funding scheme will support eight local businesses, many of which are based at the Renewables Innovation Hub, to help develop and commercialise new technology such as new household battery controls, hydrogen fuel cells and solar radiation forecasting.

Waste Targets Less waste generated Full resource recovery (e.g. Green Waste Bin) A clean environment (e.g. Container Deposit Scheme) Carbon neutral waste sector (e.g. capture of methane from landfill)

What actions are in place to meet these goals?

Energy Efficiency Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme – energy retailers are required to assist households and businesses to improve energy efficiency. Carbon Neutral Government - Government facilities reduce emissions to meet 2020 target of carbon neutrality. EEIS - Since 2013: energy efficiency improvements in over 70,000 Canberra premises, saving over 700,000 t CO2-e. ACT Government greenhouse gas emissions have reduced by 7% between 2015-16 to 2016-17. The ACT Government is currently encouraging active travel by staff working in government Directorates, by undertaking a trial of electric bikes.

Sustainability Programs - Actsmart Helping households, businesses and schools to: reduce, reuse, recycle waste, improve energy and water efficiency, foster urban agriculture. All 134 ACT schools registered with Actsmart Schools; 15 schools achieved five-star accreditation (6-7 year journey). More than 1350 householders have attended self-help workshops on draught proofing their home, implementing energy efficient home cooling and making the correct solar choices for their home. 740 business participated in Business Energy and Water program since 2012. Participating businesses saving an average $2500 in energy costs annually.

Healthy Waterways $80 million to build up to 18 wetlands, ponds, swales and channels to improve water quality H2OK: Keeping our waterways healthy education campaign Reduce nutrients, sediment and pollutants entering major waterways H2OK Campaign includes community engagement: DrainART competition enabled artists to design decals showing how pollutants end up in waterways. Grants have been awarded for innovative residential stormwater management demonstration sites. Seasonal media campaigns underway: summer (soil), autumn (leaves), winter (litter), spring (lawn clippings) Training on soil and sediment control with Master Builders Association

Future priorities for ACT Government

Vision A sustainable, liveable city which: has net zero carbon emissions is climate resilient with fit- for-purpose buildings and infrastructure has thriving living infrastructure to support human health and wellbeing and wildlife conservation

Shifting focus on reducing emissions 100% renewable electricity = shifts the focus to transport, buildings, gas and waste. Recent emissions projection work indicates how our emissions profile would change from 2020, once emissions from electricity are zero. This is why we will need to focus primarily on transport and gas emissions, and on continually improving energy efficiency (to maintain the 100% renewable electricity target). The figure on the right is based on our most recent emissions modelling work and shows projected emissions under a ‘business as usual’ (reference) scenario.

Focus on Adaptation The climate projections are that the ACT will have: more variable rainfall/drought more severe storms higher flood risk higher bushfire risk longer & hotter heatwaves increase in severity, reduce city liveability, decline in economic prosperity increase in UHI, energy demand rises per capita, infrastructure maintenance costs increase codes and standards not fit-for-purpose, ‘built-in’ future problems increased emergencies with increased costs increased impact on most vulnerable, loss of resilience, health costs rise

Achieving the vision: proposal ideas for Parliament of Youth for Sustainability

Opportunities for change Reducing emissions from the transport and waste sector Innovative ideas on urban agriculture Building energy efficient buildings Improved green spaces to reduce heat-island effect Community education on reducing ecological footprint Active transport Transition away from gas as energy source Parliament of Youth participants need to think of innovative ideas when writing a proposal on reducing ACT’s ecological footprint. As we shift to 100% renewable electricity by 2020, the focus for continued sustainable development will move to transport, buildings, gas and waste.

Questions? For information on school sustainability resources and services: Actsmart Schools Jenny Dibley: jenny.dibley@act.gov.au Maeli Cooper: maeli.cooper@act.gov.au