Adapting BZE’s Zero Carbon Australia research to local communitiesLooking at different sectors including; > Energy > Buildings > Land Use > Transport > Waste

The Zero Carbon Communities Project

BZE ranked in the top 10 of global think tanks to watch in 2016

Zero Carbon Communities Objectives: > Building the Zero Carbon Community > Showcasing the Zero Carbon Community > Influencing with the Zero Carbon Community

Setting an emissions reduction target

Council endorsement

Community engagement

Baselining emissions

Mitigation strategies

Developing a 10 year transition strategy

Results reporting and review

Australia Regions with Council vs Community Wide Zero Emissions Targets

1000 mayors from around the world in Paris committed to

‘ambitious long-term climate goals such as a transition to

100% renewable energy in our communities’

Local Climate Leaders Declaration, Paris COP21

Emissions Reduction Target (Community Wide)

State/Region/City/town

Zero emissions Byron Shire (2025)

70% absolute emissions reduction Sydney (2030)Zero net emissions/carbon neutral ACT (2050), Adelaide (2020), City of Melbourne (2020), City of Darebin (2020), City of

Moreland (2045), City of Yarra (2020), Queenscliffe (2020)

100% renewable energy ACT (2020), Coffs Harbour (2030), Flinders & King Islands, Indigo Shire (Yackandandah 2022), Uralla (5-10 yrs), Mount Alexander Shire (Newstead 2017), Tweed Shire (Tyalgum 2020)

Community Involvement

Why are Councils/Communities acting?Livable City or social

benefits

Leader in the region

Environmental sustainability goals

Climate change risks and impacts

Cost saving and economic benefits

Compliance or catching up with others

0 5 9 14 18 23

Communicating, showcasing & learning

82%

18%Community wide

Council ops only

Countries, Cities & Communities with 100% Renewable Energy Goals

10 Steps To A Zero Carbon Community:

‘High Ambition’ Councils and Communities

44%56%

Developing shared project resources

step 1. step 3. step 5.

About Beyond Zero Emissions: Our vision is to transform Australia from a 19th century, fossil-fuel based, emissions-intensive economy, to a 21st-century renewable-energy powered, clean-tech economy.

step 6.

step 7.

step 8.

step 9.

step 10. step 4. step 2.

Fundraising

% Community involved

% No Community involvement or no answer

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Review of Zero Emissions CouncilsIn 2016 BZE undertook a desktop review and survey of all Councils in Australia.

Focus was on what zero emissions targets and activities were underway in Councils and communities.

Received responses from 152 councils.

Many councils are working with communities on zero emissions targets and actions.

There are a group of high ambition councils setting 100% renewable energy and zero emissions targets.

Key ObservationsMany councils and communities are supporting the development of zero emissions goals.

Mayors and councils can be active champions and leaders.

Policy certainty and federal funding and support is required.

Blueprint for technical transition/technologies provides consistent approach.

Learning from networks of peers and sharing resources and experiences can enhance synergies, reduce costs and inspire action.

What You Can DoContact: zerocarboncommunities@bze.org.au

Learn from what other councils are doing.

BZE can talk to your council and community.

BZE can develop a zero emissions plan for your council and community.

Visit: www.zerocarboncommunities.org

Case Study Zero Emissions ByronIn 2015 the Mayor of Byron Shire Council announced Byron Shire’s intention to become the first zero emissions community in Australia by 2025. The Zero Emissions Byron project is overseen by a steering committee comprising the Mayor, Council staff, local community groups, Beyond Zero Emissions and the Centre for Social Change. The project is organised according to five sectors that contribute to emissions in the shire: energy, transport, buildings, land use and waste. In each sector a team of local volunteers and experts has been established to calculate the baseline emissions and develop high level strategies to reduce emissions.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Byron Shire Beyond Zero Emissions has worked with local community groups to calculate the total annual greenhouse gas emissions in Byron Shire, estimated at 263,199 tonnes CO2e.

Community working groups have identified strategies to reduce emissions including rolling out energy efficiency and renewable energy through BZE’s Energy Freedom initiative, encouraging a shift from car use to other forms of transport, reducing emissions from enteric fermentation in livestock, as well as revegetation activities, using methane captured at Myocum Landfill for renewable energy generation and improving the recycling rates of food and other biodegradable waste.

Three Key Stages:1. Calculate baseline of current emissions in energy, transport,

buildings, land use and waste sectors.

2. Develop mitigation strategies and model/quantify their potential to reduce emissions.

3. Implement emissions reduction strategies: a. Short-term practical action such as energy efficiency

and rooftop solar. b. Longer-term strategy to move to zero emissions.

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