Australian Centre for Sustainable Business and Development. Carbon Mitigation Actions by Peri-urban and Regional Cities in Queensland

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1 Australian Centre for Sustainable Business and Development Carbon Mitigation Actions by Peri-urban and Regional Cities in Queensland Heather Zeppel State of Australian Cities National Conference Shangri-La Hotel, The Rocks, Sydney November 2013

2 Queensland City Councils 73 Qld Local Councils: 7 City, 30 Regional, 24 Shire, & 12 Ab. Shire Councils 5 of 10 largest LGA in SEQ (65% Qld population) double by 2030 (peri-urban) Brisbane (1), Gold Coast (2), Moreton Bay (3), Sunshine Coast (4), Logan (6 th ) Qld population grew by 23% or 845,200 people ( ). Coastal growth in Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay, Cairns, Townsville (18 th ), & Mackay National Growth Areas Alliance (25 councils): Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay 191,000 workers in SEQ region commute daily to Brisbane (RDA-Qld) Highest carbon emissions per capita & total waste generated is in Qld 20 Qld Councils & 7 prior Shires in Cities for Climate Protection program *CCP cities set GHG emission reduction goals (corporate, community) to 2010 e.g. 20%-25% reduction on ( ) levels by 2010 (voluntary, non-binding) *Cairns Regional Council: 50% reduction on 2007/08 levels by 2020 Can Queensland cities transition to a lower carbon future?

3 Urban, Peri-urban & Regional Areas

4 Carbon Compliance and Liability for City Councils Clean Energy Act 2011 Carbon Price Mechanism ( tax ) of $23 per tco 2 -e July 2012 ($24.15c ) Liable entities report GHG emissions over threshold of 25,000tCO 2 -e Carbon tax liability on landfill emissions begins from 1 July 2013 Carbon credits (ACCUs) from landfill gas flaring/electricity/waste diversion * Increased cost of electricity, water, fuel, transport, & raw materials * Brisbane City Council est. carbon tax of $65 million over next 4 years * Gold Coast City Council est.$1.6m electricity & $1.1M landfill costs Clean Energy Regulator - 32 local councils liable entities for carbon tax (12/13) 9 Qld Councils are liable entities for landfill emissions (urban/peri-urban): City Councils (4): Brisbane, Gold Coast, Logan, Townsville Regional Councils (5): Fraser Coast, Moreton Bay, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba

5 Climate Change Mitigation by Qld Councils Mitigation involves taking actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions being emitted to minimise the impact from climate change. (LGAQ, 2009) Mitigating Climate Change: An Introductory Guide for Queensland Local Government Climate change & carbon management programs voluntary, regulatory Council carbon exposure, managing GHG emission sources: Solid waste and landfills Wastewater treatment plants Fleet Building air conditioning (refrigerants) Natural gas use Electricity use Corporate travel Purchasing Offsets Carbon risks & opportunities for councils carbon price impacts

6 Carbon Management Assessment Matrix (LGAQ, 2009) Business Area/Stage Council Strategy (Carbon Management) Stage 1 Latent No CM strategy Stage 2 Emerging CM strategy committed to by senior management CM policy or position Preliminary carbon targets set Stage 3 Consolidating Short term CM strategy (< 1 year) energy & GHG Implementation commenced, responsibility allocated Carbon targets reviewed & amended as required Stage 4 Mainstreaming Longer term (>2 year) CM strategy development Strategic planning process includes CM & leads to business improvements (energy efficiency, procurement) Stage 5 Leading CM is embedded in business planning Seeking out game changing energy efficiency initiatives

7 Climate Change Mitigation Survey of Qld Councils Commissioned by Local Government Infrastructure Services (LGIS) Survey conducted January to May 2012 Survey sent to all 73 Qld local Councils ( , post, phone calls) 5 key sections: Your Council; Climate Change; Mitigation; Offsetting; Carbon Price List of 64 carbon mitigation actions (i.e. energy, water, waste, behaviour change, offsetting) Survey completed by 32 Qld Councils (51% response, excl. Aboriginal SC): 5 City Councils (CC) (Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay, Redland, Townsville) 18 Regional Councils (RC) (Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Toowoomba, Mackay, Gladstone & 12 others) 9 Shire Councils (SC) (3 coastal, 6 inland) Survey respondents were environmental/sustainability staff, & others Climate change/carbon, environment, sustainability, waste, NRM = 25 CEO/corporate services = 5 Engineering/building surveyor = 2

8 Council Responsibility for Climate Change Issues Planning & Environment/Planning & Sustainability (n=19) Corporate Services/Governance/Finance & Business (n=9) General Manager/CEO (n=10) Environmental Services/Water & Waste (n=8) Mayor and elected councillors (n=5) Policy and Planning/Planning & Development /Regional Strategy & Planning (n=5) Infrastructure Services/Engineering, Construction & Maintenance Services (n=5) Other (n=5) City Regional Shire Aboriginal Shire Sustainability Unit /Sustainability Department (n=4) Environment Team/Assets & Environment /Open Space & Environment (n=3) Community Development/Services (n=2) Other: Infrastructure Manager (CC), Fleet and Hydrology Managers (RC), Engineer (SC), Hydraulics & Hydrology (RC), Spread across organisation: Waste, Fleet, Flood & Waterways (RC); No one delegated (4)

9 Council Funding of Climate Change Initiatives Funding of climate initiatives - total 2 3 Council operating budget State/Fed Govt Grants Council levy/action or revolving fund No council funding for climate change 8 9 Private sector partnerships Other Other: (RC) Strategic projects ; business sponsorship to offset events, NGOs implement program ; low on budget priority Private sector partnership: (CC) Ergon Energy (Townsville) ; Energy Conservation Communities (Redland)

10 Climate Change Responses by Councils CC is an Important issue (21 Councils) CC will Impact on Council operations (22 Councils) A little prepared (16), fairly prepared (10), not prepared (1), very prepared (1) Statutory obligations (13); Additional climate initiatives (13); Proactive (6) Climate change actions included in a corporate plan (16) Do NOT consider carbon mitigation guidelines in planning decisions (23) 3 councils do (renewable energy): Sunshine Coast, Townsville, 1 inland SC Climate change/carbon mitigation actions mainly included in: waste management plan (20) water management plan (16) environment plan (11) climate change plan (11) coastal/larger inland councils (>30,000 population)

11 Council Climate Change Plans Areas Covered Climate ASC SC RC CC Total Change Areas Waste Reduction Community Education Energy Efficiency Water Conservation Sustainable Living Sustainable Transport Other Sustainable Business Renewable Energy Clean Energy Business

12 Carbon Mitigation Actions by Councils 433 carbon actions implemented by 30 Councils (average = 14.4) City Councils (32.4) Regional Councils (12.8) (*urban/peri-urban areas) Shire Councils (4) Main carbon mitigation actions: energy (55%) water (17%) waste (13%) behaviour change (13%) offset actions (2.5%) Top 20 carbon mitigation actions: smaller-scale energy efficiency measures + solar PV power waste management water conservation behaviour change programs (information, staff training)

13 Waste Efficiency Actions by Councils Waste efficiency actions Number Practise recycling and minimise amount of solid waste (2 nd ) 17 Implemented active waste reduction measures (5 th ) 13 Encourage self-composting of waste by residents/businesses (6 th ) 11 Implemented any other waste initiatives 7 Capture methane gas from Council landfills to generate power (EE) 6 Use composting to treat wastes 4 Use anaerobic digestion to treat wastes 2 Use anaerobic digestion of sludge in WWTP for biogas 2 Facilitate sewage/water mining by industry/developers 1 Range: 3-5 waste actions (5 CC); Range: 1-5 waste actions (13 RC); Range: 1-3 waste actions (3 SC) 7 Councils reported being over landfill emissions liability threshold of 25,000tCO 2 -e (CER - 11 liable): Gold Coast, Logan, Townsville, Mackay, Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba

14 Behaviour Change Actions by Councils Behaviour change actions Number Share information with neighbouring Councils on emissions reduction (6 th ) 11 Provide information to residents on reducing their emissions (7 th ) 10 Train Council staff or volunteers on your emissions reduction actions (9 th ) 8 Provide information to businesses on reducing their emissions 7 Market the emissions reduction initiatives of your Council 6 Include emissions reduction targets in Council corporate plans 5 *Choose suppliers taking actions to reduce their emissions 4 Provide community rebates for energy/water/waste efficiency products 4 Total: 55 *Logan CC, Townsville CC, Mackay RC & Toowoomba RC had a green purchasing program Five City Councils had 1 to 7 behaviour change actions listed (average = 4.8 actions) Nine Regional Councils had 1 to 5 behaviour change actions listed Banana Shire Council listed 4 behaviour change actions

15 Council Motives to Reduce Carbon Emissions Reason to Reduce Carbon Emissions Number Rank Major reasons to reduce emissions (> 5 responses) Cost savings Environmental regulations (eg Waste Management Strategy) Council climate change strategy/action plan Council resolutions on climate change/energy efficiency Demonstrate climate leadership to local businesses/residents Minor reasons to reduce emissions (< 5 responses) Certification (eg CCP) or permit requirement Business reporting legal requirement (eg NGERS) Queensland renewable energy plan Attract low-carbon industry investment Other (ie SEQ Regional Plan, drought, reduce climate risk) Preparation for energy trading schemes/carbon legislation Qld government climate change strategy/q2 carbon targets Differentiate your Council as a climate friendly region Premier s Statement on carbon emissions 1 3.0

16 Managing Carbon Emissions at Councils Assess carbon emissions already (13 Councils), assess emissions next 12 months (5 ) Council systems to calculate GHG emissions: NGERS (10), Excel spread sheets (7) Consultants (3) e.g. LGIS, Planet Footprint, Sustainable Corporate Solutions Low priority/not a priority to reduce carbon emissions (18 councils) Emissions under NGERS threshold of 25,000tCO 2 -e (19 Councils) Do not assess/know most cost-effective emissions reduction actions (17 councils) City Councils: ROI (<10 years), MACC, lowest initial cost Regional (City) Councils: ROI (<10 yrs), govt grants, lowest initial cost, MACC, not sure Green Power 3 Councils purchased Green Power: Redland - 5%, Townsville, Tablelands (Brisbane City Council purchases 100% Green Power) Logan City Council - initiated a regional Green Power purchasing concept, including Queensland renewable energy station

17 Council Carbon Emissions Emissions Source Number % Total Council Emissions Responses Average (Response Range) Emissions Landfill (9) 24-86% 5 57% (1 st ) Energy (7) 10-68% 4 37% Vehicle fleet (10) 3-34% 8 16% WWTP(s) (6) 10-23% 3 15% Council office (7) 3-37% % Water storage (3) 11-12% % Street lighting (8) 5-26% 6 9.8% Other facilities (4) 6-9% 2 7.5% 12 Councils measured both Scope 1 (fuel, waste) and Scope 2 (energy) emissions Scope 3 (goods, travel) emissions measured by Gold Coast CC, Redland CC (& Tablelands RC)

18 Council Investment in GHG Emissions Reduction Energy efficiency Landfill management Waste management City Behaviour change Regional Shire Aboriginal Shire Vehicle fleet 3 6 Solar power Other 1

19 Carbon Mitigation Actions by City Councils Townsville City Solar City, Energy performance contracts, Network demand management (CBD cooling, EE upgrades-tcc offices/street lights, staff education) Logan City: Ammonia chilled AC, EE upgrades-buildings (CEEP, LGEEP) Redland City EE upgrades-buildings, Household energy conservation audits/meters, Sustainable Homes program, Energy Conservation Communities Sunshine Coast RC: EE projects-top 10 sites, behaviour change, landfill Cairns RC: Energy & Emissions System, Carbon Reduction Pathway Toowoomba RC: solar PV, landfill gas collection/flaring, diesel vehicles Moreton Bay RC: EE-buildings, organic waste diversion, carbon reserves Mackay RC: EE, sustainability policy, community education/engagement Gladstone RC: harvest methane from landfill, eco-efficiency measures

20 Barriers to Councils Implementing Carbon Actions Cost & lack of funding, reliance on Council operating budget or grants lack of funds for any mitigation even though demonstrated return is three to five years. Things are very tight. (Redland CC) Lack of Council policies (on climate change) Indifference/lack of support by senior managers & some councillors Lack of staff to implement climate action, no climate change delegation Carbon mitigation actions & responses spread across Council areas Environmental regulations: restrictive DERM licence conditions on WWTPs, uncertain RECs market over past 3 years Data management: energy & fuel accounts; coordinating data entry; calculating landfill emissions; managing & sharing emissions data across Council areas; software to generate reports on emissions Changing federal government guidelines, GHG reporting standards

21 Climate Change Response by Local Councils Innovative (Leader) 1 RC (Cairns) Aim: To fully integrate climate change thinking and action into all Council operations with a view to becoming a carbon neutral leader Progressive (Proactive) 6 councils (1 CC, 3 RC, 1 SC) Aim: To proactively pursue mitigation and adaptation actions designed to address the challenges posed by climate change Opportunistic (Follower) 13 councils (3 CC, 6 RC, 4 SC) Aim: To engage in climate change related initiatives beyond statutory requirements from time to time as resources become available Minimalistic (Reactionary) 13 councils (9 RC, 4 SC) Aim: To comply with statutory obligations as determined under State and Federal legislation Wood, M. & McNamara, S. (2011). Philosophy for climate action: Ballina Shire Council. 20 th NSW Coastal Conference, 8-11 Nov., 2011.

22 Assessment of Carbon Management by Councils Number and range of carbon mitigation actions related to: 1) Type, & size of Council (>30,000), 2) Coastal location, & 3) Climate change strategy Level of carbon price preparation related to: 1) Council Size, 2) Geographic location, & 3) Measuring carbon emissions Philosophy for Climate Action Qld Councils largely Minimalistic or Opportunistic in climate initiatives Six Qld Councils are Progressive (proactively pursuing mitigation actions) Carbon Management Assessment Matrix (LGAQ, 2009) Larger metropolitan/coastal Qld councils more prepared & carbon ready Stage 3: Consolidating or Stage 4: Mainstreaming carbon actions Smaller, inland rural Qld councils least prepared & not carbon ready Stage 1: Latent or Stage 2: Emerging carbon actions

23 Qld Population Growth & Carbon Mitigation Qld State Budget: $148.5M in capital grants for Qld Councils (solar CCTV-$100K) LG Sustainable Future Fund, Waste Avoidance & Resource Efficiency Fund cut Abolition of Qld govt. carbon schemes, responsibility of Australian government Qld Govt. Sustainability: Energy-efficient Homes & Recycling; Clean Energy LG Low Carbon Transition relies on Federal grants & State planning policy Community/LG Energy Efficiency Program Brisbane, Logan, Cairns, Townsville Carbon management in peri-urban & larger regional Qld cities *Population growth & development (land use planning, jobs, transport, waste) *Decentralised: Satellite cities - Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay, Redlands Digital Work Hubs-5 SEQ RDAs, solar PV power, recycling, green space) *Qld Plan (2013) 30-year vision, decentralised population in regional cities Target: 50% population in SEQ (now 65% in SEQ), 50% in regional Qld

24 Peri-urban Electricity Generated by Solar PV in 2011 Sydney Melbourne Brisbane

25 Low Carbon Urban Transition (Newton & Newman, 2013)

26 References & Resources Hoff, J. (2010) Local climate protection programs in Australia and New Zealand: Results, dilemmas and relevance for future actions. CIDEA Project Report No LGAQ. (2009). Mitigating Climate Change: An Introductory Guide for Queensland Local Government. LGAQ. (2012). Affects of the Carbon Price on Qld Councils: Summary Analysis. LGAQ Newton, P. & Newman, P. (2013). The geography of solar photovoltaics (PV) and a new low carbon urban transition theory. Sustainability, 5(6), Storey, H. et. al. (2012). Local Action for a Low Carbon Future. ACELG. Storey, H. & Eckstein, D. (2013). Approaches taken by local councils transitioning and transforming communities and local economies towards a low carbon future. LGMA. Zeppel, H. & James-Overheu (2012). Climate Change Mitigation Survey of Queensland Local Councils: Final Report. Working Paper. Springfield: University of Southern Queensland. USQ Local Government Research Group: Project (Survey of Qld Councils) : Contact: Associate Professor Heather Zeppel (heather.zeppel@usq.edu.au)