Emissions and Water Use Targets

Following the declaration of a Climate Emergency in 2019, Council set the following energy community-wide emissions and water use targets in March 2020:

• An 80% reduction in emissions by 2036 (FY16/17 emissions baseline) and 

• No net increase in water use (FY16/17 emissions baseline)

In February 2021 Council set the following interim targets:

• 20% reduction in emissions by 2024 (FY16/17 emissions baseline)

• No net increase in water use (FY16/17 emissions baseline)

Council has made great progress towards the emissions target within our own operations. With the inception of the 100% renewable energy agreement for all of Council facilities in July 2022, Councils emissions were reduced from 2% of the LGA’s total emissions to 0.5%. The challenge and opportunities lie in assisting the residential and business community to reduce their emissions. 

Council recognises there is a considerable appetite in the community to achieve long-term success through sustainability and Council has a leadership role to ensure effective action is taken. Achieving these targets will only be possible through collaboration and partnerships with residents, businesses and State and Federal Government departments.

To help the community achieve these targets Council is focusing on the following key directions:

Energy Emissions

• Implementing Sustainability Rebates for residents and businesses to install solar and batteries, electric vehicle charging and rainwater tanks

• Implementing a Community Renewables program

• Promoting GreenPower to residents, particularly those who rent or live in apartments.

• Providing the Greener Apartments Program which provides an energy and water assessment for strata’s to identify energy saving opportunities, along with an action plan.

Water conservation strategies

• Identifying opportunities for recycled water use in Council owned and leased facilities;

• Promoting opportunities available to residents in apartments, homes and businesses to improve water conservation and recycling in partnership with Sydney Water;

Waste innovation

• In 2022 Council successfully trialed a food organics program with selected residential areas and will implement a service for all residents by 2030, in line with State Government Policy. Council will use the trial results to commence planning for the rollout of a separate food collection service in order to meet the NSW Government mandate for food collection services by 2030.

• Providing the Apartment Waste Improvement Program which aims to improve recycling rates, reduce contamination in kerbside bin and improve overall waste practices in apartment complexes.

Adopting high-performance new building standards 

• Adopting controls and planning provisions in the Development Control Plan with increased sustainability criteria for new residential and commercial buildings (link tbc)

Electric Vehicles

• Council supports the uptake of electric vehicles by providing a total of 21 charging hubs across Lane Cove.

• Council will continue to install Electric Vehicle infrastructure in public places.