Organisational Emissions Reduction Progress Report · Report

Page 2

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING                                            9 DECEMBER 2025



RECOMMENDATION
That Council
A. Note the report by the Sustainability and Climate Change Coordinator and the Carbon Reduction
   officer to the Planning & Environment Committee Meeting dated 9 December 2025;
B. Note the progress on reducing emissions to date and the positive impact of setting the last target;
C. Note that Council will not achieve its net zero target by 2026 for its organisational emissions;
D. Confirm that no third-party offsets will be purchased to help achieve the net zero target or to
   claim carbon neutrality, and instead agree to prioritise ongoing investment in direct emissions
   reduction activities and local carbon removal projects to achieve true net zero and to deliver long-
   term cost savings and important community and biodiversity conservation co-benefits;
E. Note the progress on developing a new Climate Positive Investment Roadmap; and
F. Request the CEO prepare a report to a Council Meeting by April 2026 or before, on the new
   Climate Positive Investment Roadmap including an ambitious, science-based target and
   achievable plan to reduce emissions.


REPORT
1. Background
In 2016, Noosa Council set a very ambitious net zero emissions target of 2026 outlined in Council’s
Zero Emissions Organisational Strategy 2016-2026 (“ZEN Strategy”) and was set to inspire and drive
action on climate change. Emissions reduction is also embedded throughout many Council policies
and strategies:
   •   Corporate Plan 2023-2028
        o   “Noosa’s environment is protected, preserved, and managed in a manner that is nature
            positive, low carbon and climate resilient and respects our traditional owners spiritual
            and cultural connection to Country”
        o  “Fund and implement the Climate Change Response Plan to support Council,
           community and the local economy to build resilience and preparedness for climate risks
           and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2026”
   •   Environment Strategy 2019
        o  “Noosa Council operations and service activities, and the Noosa community as a whole,
           will reach net zero emissions by 2026”
   •   Climate Change Response Plan 2021
        o   "Transition to net zero emissions by 2026for Council operations and for the community”
        o   “By 2026, all Council facilities will be powered by 100% renewable energy/ net zero
            emissions energy”
        o   “By 2026 Noosa Shire is powered by 100% renewable energy/net zero emissions
            energy”
        o  Advance a zero-waste circular economy and divert green waste and food waste away
           from landfill by 2030
   •   From Waste to Resource Plan 2023-2028
        o   “Reducing landfill emissions is a critical driver of the Waste Plan.”
        o “By 2035, Noosa will be a recognised leader in the transition towards a circular economy
          and zero waste to landfill.”
   •   Noosa Walking & Cycling Strategy and Implementation Plan 2020-2040
        o   Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the use of private motor vehicles

Page 3

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING                                        9 DECEMBER 2025


   •   Smart Biosphere Economic Development Strategy 2021
        o   Championing the Green Economy
Council has been on a long journey to reduce its climate pollution since 2001. Figure 1 shows some
of the key successes that have been achieved so far, including developing the Zero Emissions
Organisation Strategy in 2016, being the first QLD council to declare a climate emergency in 2019
and endorsing the Climate Change Response Plan in 2021. 2016 was also the first year of the
Emissions Reduction Capital Works budget allocation and in 2017, a temporary (now permanent)
role of Emissions Reduction Officer was appointed.




Figure 1: Council's Emission Reduction Journey

As Council approaches the 2026 target date, this report outlines Council’s progress in emissions
reduction and provides an update on setting a new science-based, ambitious, but achievable target,
incorporating lessons learned and the latest available scientific data.

2. Emissions Reduction Successes
Council has been calculating its organisational carbon footprint since FY2015/2016, with periodic
third-party auditing. The most recent Climate Active-compliant and third-party audited footprint from
FY23/24 amounted to 45,118 tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (tCO₂e). Figure 2 shows
that the majority (95%) of emissions come from Scope 1 (51%) and Scope 3 (44%) sources. The
most significant contributors being landfill emissions (47%), professional services (14%), and
construction materials and services (13%).

Page 4

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING                                     9 DECEMBER 2025




Figure 2: FY23/24 Organisational Carbon Footprint

Council has achieved notable progress in reducing emissions since establishing the 2026 target. As
illustrated in Figure 3, a 19% reduction has been realised between FY2015/16 and FY2023/24,
representing a decrease of approximately 10,725 tCO₂e. This reduction has avoided approximately
$4.2 million of damage costs to society per year, based on the social cost of carbon (SCC)
recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of $395 AUD / tCO2 (1) which accounts
for the damage costs, as well as benefits, associated with a given tonne of greenhouse gas
emission.




Figure 3: Historical Organisational Emissions

Page 5

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING                                                                 9 DECEMBER 2025



Notable projects which have contributed to this reduction include:
•    Over 750kW of solar installed across several council buildings, including Evacuation Centres.
•    Installing battery energy storage systems at The J, The Noosa Leisure Centre and Peregian
     Digital Hub. These also provide resilience co-benefits in the form of back up in the case of a
     power outage, which is particularly important for the first two being Evacuation Centres.
•    LED lighting upgrades across most of council buildings. Most recently, the theatre lighting at The
     J was upgraded to high spec LEDs.
•    HVAC upgrades
•    Increased landfill gas flaring (1,566,908 m3 of methane flared in FY2014 compared with
     2,290,623 m3 in FY2025)
•    Green waste diversion since 2017
The rollout of solar and batteries on council buildings has not only reduced emissions, it has also led
to co-benefits such as reduced electricity bills, improved energy self-sufficiency, and strengthened
resilience to extreme weather events and grid outages. Replacing reliance on grid electricity with
clean energy also supports local jobs, creates educational opportunities, improves air quality, and
demonstrates leadership in the clean energy transition. Using current electricity tariffs and the CO₂e
per kWh factor of 0.73 for Queensland (2), an estimate of the total electricity cost savings from
Council’s distributed energy assets to date is approximately $650,000 - $750,000 and 2,948 tCO₂e
(note that this is only operation cost savings). The continued deployment of low cost, renewable
energy systems and energy efficiency measures ensures Council is well placed to meet its target for
all Council facilities to be powered by 100% renewable energy by 2026.

These projects have served as strong examples of Council’s capacity to reduce emissions, achieve
cost savings, and enhance operational resilience. However, the majority of initiatives rolled out to
date have been relatively straightforward, “quick win” projects. Moving forward, it is necessary to
invest in more complex, large-scale, and transformative initiatives, most of which will be centred
around the Waste Resource Recovery Centre (in accordance with Council’s endorsed From Waste
to Resource Plan 2023-2028) as landfill emissions remain Council’s most significant emissions
source.
(1) Using the mid-point discount rate for SC-CO2 as a conservative proxy and adjusted to nominal 2025 AUD using 2020-2025 cumulative
U.S. inflation and the RBA monthly exchange rate for Oct 2025. Source: U.S. EPA (2023) Report on the Social Cost of Greenhouse
Gases:       Estimates     Incorporating      Recent    Scientific     Advances.     https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-
12/epa_scghg_2023_report_final.pdf
(2)      Commonwealth          of       Australia    (2023)       National     Greenhouse        Accounts      Factors     Workbook
2023.https://www.dcceew.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/national-greenhouse-account-factors-2023.pdf

3. Reflection on the 2026 Target

Council’s decision to adopt an ambitious net zero target by 2026 was very impactful at the time as it
aligned directly with the latest climate science, which shows that rapid and front-loaded emissions
reductions are essential to limiting warming to 1.5°C and avoid escalating climate risks. By
committing early, Council acknowledged its role within the global effort to reduce emissions and
recognised that, while its operational footprint is comparatively small, local governments play a
disproportionate role in signalling ambition, shaping community expectations and demonstrating
practical climate leadership. Setting such a target also reflected a strong leadership and
intergenerational responsibility, consistent with national scientific guidance emphasising the need to
safeguard future generations from worsening climate impacts (3)(4). Importantly, it was recognised
that early action unlocks substantial co-benefits (such as reduced energy costs, improved
operational resilience, and broader economic gains) including advancing Council’s Different by
Nature ethos through pilot projects on new solar technology, new global ‘insetting’ methodologies,
and Queensland’s first community-owned community battery. Together, these factors positioned
Noosa as a proactive, science-aligned and socially responsible leader in the transition to a safe and
sustainable future – a reputation that Council proudly maintains amongst its national peers.

Page 6

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING                                         9 DECEMBER 2025



As a first step in establishing the Zero Emissions Organisational Strategy and setting the 2026 target,
Council engaged Beyond Zero Emissions Inc., a climate change solutions think-tank, to undertake
an independent audit of Council’s operations and services, to develop an emissions inventory and
to determine a baseline Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions (carbon) footprint.

With the data available at the time and current knowledge of carbon accounting, the baseline
assessment indicated that the total emissions were only 10,713 tCO₂e (tonnes of carbon dioxide
equivalent). Council’s target was originally set based on this figure. It was acknowledged in the ZEN
Strategy that there were limitations to this calculated figure: “continued improvement is required in
the collection of data to complete Council’s understanding of the GHG components”. It was also
noted in the baseline footprint report that, due to unavailability of data, emissions from waste
excluded the majority of Scope 3 (supply chain) sources, legacy waste (pre-FY15/16 landfill
material), and methane emissions from uncapped landfill cells. Under the GHG Protocol (5), these
sources must be included. After gathering the necessary data and recalculating for FY15/16 to
include these sources, the baseline was revised to 55,843 tCO₂e, nearly five times higher than the
original estimate, significantly increasing the scale of the challenge.

Achieving net zero emissions requires reducing emissions from a given baseline to the lowest
possible level with technology available at the time. Industry standards (6) for a credible net zero
claim indicate a minimum 90% reduction over the long term, with only 10% or less of residual
emissions to be offset by generating or purchasing credits for emissions reductions elsewhere.

Therefore, even if Council purchased offsets for current residual emissions, achieving its net zero
target could not be credibly claimed. Council could instead pursue carbon neutrality, where
emissions are balanced by equivalent offsets. However, as Council currently has no self-generated
offsets, these would need to be purchased from third-parties, for projects outside Noosa Shire and
in some cases, overseas.

In Australia, current Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) prices are around $38/tCO₂e, which
would equate to spending approximately $1.7m annually to offset Council’s current residual
emissions of 45,118 tCO₂e. In many cases, carbon offset projects can have significant co-benefits
for local communities and biodiversity conservation if established well using best practice methods.
These benefits would not be realised if Council were to purchase offsets from projects outside of
Noosa. Significant transparency and integrity concerns also remain around third-party offsets,
particularly regarding additionality and permanence (7)(8)(9). This has led to limited availability of
‘high-quality’ carbon credits in the market, as there is now an increasing demand for high integrity
projects to offset corporate emissions. Additionally, other LGAs, including Brisbane and Logan, have
recently opted against continuing to purchase third-party carbon credits (a majority of which from
overseas) to maintain carbon neutrality, instead prioritising direct emissions reductions actions
internally.

Whilst notable improvements are currently being made to increase the quality and integrity of offsets
in both the Australian carbon market and the overseas voluntary carbon market, at this time, it is not
recommended to purchase third-party offsets to neutralise Council’s emissions due to: the high
associated annual costs (which, whilst still providing net positive benefits to community due to the
high impact costs of climate change, are better spent locally on direct emissions reduction actions),
the limited local co-benefits, and the integrity and availability concerns associated with third-party
offsets. Instead, it is recommended that the focus remain on accelerating impactful, cost-effective
actions that directly reduce Council’s organisational emissions, particularly those at the Waste
Resource Recovery Centre (in line with the endorsed From Waste to Resource Plan) and on
balancing residual emissions through natural carbon removal projects across the Shire.

Investing in direct emissions reduction and carbon removals within the region demonstrates: a
genuine commitment to long-term emissions reduction, which is the only credible path to
‘absolute/true zero’ (zero residual emissions); long-term operational cost savings and positive net

Page 7

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING                                                                      9 DECEMBER 2025


benefits from renewable energy assets and energy efficiency upgrades; as well as improved
biodiversity conservation and community wellbeing through environmental planting and restoration
projects.
(3)     Australian     Academy      of     Science     (2021) The     Risks     to    Australia    of    a    3°C      Warmer        World.
https://www.science.org.au/files/userfiles/support/reports-and-plans/2021/risks-australia-three-deg-warmer-world-report.pdf
(4) Australian Treasury (2023) 2023 Intergenerational Report: Australia’s Future to 2063. https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-
08/p2023-435150.pdf
(5) WRI & WBCSD (2004) GHG Protocol Corporate Standard. https://www.ghgprotocol.org/sites/default/files/standards/ghg-protocol-
revised.pdf
(6) Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) (2025) SBTi Corporate Net-Zero Standard v1.3
(7) Macintosh A. et al. (2024) Commun. Earth Environ. 5, 149. https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-024-01313-x
(8) Thales A.P. et al. (2023) Science 381, 873–877. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ade3535
(9) Rathi A., White N. & Pogkas D. (2022) “Junk carbon offsets are what make these big companies ‘carbon neutral’.” Bloomberg News.
https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2022%2Dcarbon%2Doffsets%2Drenewable%2Denergy/


4. From 2016 to now

In 2016, Council made its first capital investment in direct emissions reduction, allocating $116,000
in the initial year within the $19.7m capital works program. As shown in Figure 4, the Zero Emissions
(ZEN) program for capital investment has received a total budget of $4.06 million since inception;
however, only $2.11 million has been expended due to resource limitations and the difficulty of
driving change on a systemic issue such as climate change mitigation. At the time, the budget
underspend was decided not to roll over into future years and not be made available to fund
emergent works on existing energy assets. These budget challenges have led to constraints on new
projects aimed at reducing emissions and lowering energy costs since FY24/25.




Figure 4: ZEN Capital Works Budget and Expenditure

A temporary Emissions Reduction Officer role was established in 2017 to help drive action within the
organisation and was subsequently made permanent in 2022. Until recently, there has been one
dedicated role to driving emissions reduction, including delivery of capital works projects, asset
monitoring, maintaining partnerships, carbon accounting, carbon reporting, supporting community
climate action and policy development. A temporary role of Climate Change & Sustainability Officer
to support community climate action and organisation sustainability actions was established in 2022
and a temporary part time role assisted with capital works projects over the last year. A 12 month

Page 8

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING                                          9 DECEMBER 2025


temporary Energy and Water Efficiency role has just commenced to assist with identifying energy
and water efficiencies, data collection for reporting on the carbon footprint and ongoing capital
projects.

Landfill emissions remain the most significant barrier to achieving net zero for Council, contributing
to just over half of the organisation’s carbon footprint. Methane generated from legacy waste
(primarily from closed historical landfill cells) is a long-term problem, as these emissions persist for
decades and make rapid reductions technically complex. While gas flaring and waste diversion have
delivered progress in this area, these actions cannot fully eliminate emissions without large-scale
investment in advanced technologies and circular economy solutions. The need for systemic
behaviour change upstream where waste is generated, further compounds the challenge. The
difficulty of reducing landfill emissions is not unique to Noosa. Landfill emissions are a common
problem across local governments nationally, with many councils facing similar technical and
financial barriers. An industry scan conducted by staff in collaboration with emissions reduction
consultants has not found any local governments that are currently net zero, who also own and
operate their own landfill and account for community generated waste. The industry review also
indicates that there are currently only 10 local councils certified as carbon neutral by Climate Active,
the Australian Government’s Carbon Neutral standard. These councils are all located in metropolitan
areas and none have landfill within their operational emissions boundary, further demonstrating the
magnitude of the emissions reduction challenge faced by councils that own and operate landfills
such as Noosa

Although the 2026 Net Zero target will not be reached, there are valuable insights to be considered
when reflecting on the barriers, resourcing gaps, and systemic challenges that have affected
progress. Acknowledging and addressing these challenges ensures the next target and investment
plan is supported by improvements in practical implementation related to organisational priorities,
governance, budgets and resourcing.
Some key areas for continued focus and critical success include:
   1. Adapt and scale up effort based on new information, new data, changing risk and new
      opportunities.
       a. When Council initially established the Net Zero target for 2026, the emissions baseline
          was calculated at 10,713tCO₂e.Subsequent investigations revealed a revised baseline
          of 55,843tCO₂e. However, this significant increase did not prompt a commensurate
          escalation in effort or allocation of resources to address the expanded scope of
          emissions, and short of that, a corresponding adjustment to the target date.
   2. Ensure infrastructure is future proofed and ready for new technologies.
       a. The rollout of modern technologies cannot succeed without first addressing asset-level
          constraints. Foundational upgrades (e.g. Structural reinforcement, compliant electricity
          infrastructure, safe cabling, and condition assessments) are essential to have done
          upfront, to minimise impacts on delivery timelines, procurement sequencing, and project
          costs. Planning for infrastructure readiness early will make future emissions reduction
          projects easier and faster.
   3. Develop interim targets for both emissions and removals.
       a. Establishing interim targets as part of the broader emissions reduction commitment
          enables Council to monitor progress, adjust strategies as needed, and maintain
          accountability.
   4. Focus on opportunities, operational cost savings and co-benefits of emissions reduction
      investments.
       a. There are significant opportunities afforded to those that act early and quickly to reduce
          emissions (10) (11), not just the avoided costs and damages associated with increasing
          disasters and climate impacts. It is important to maintain focus on unlocking these
          opportunities as they are stronger motivators for change than merely reducing risks.
   5. Strengthen and embed organisational behaviour change.

Page 9

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING                                                                9 DECEMBER 2025


        a. As there are emissions associated with all of Council activities, action to reduce
            emissions needs to be widespread and embedded, guided by a dedicated change
            management program across the organisation with strong leadership support that is
            sustained throughout the target period.
     6. Maintain a clear and dedicated governance structure.
         a. In order to maintain accountability, roles and responsibilities, and momentum to achieve
            established targets, it is important to ensure the governance structure for emissions
            reduction is in place, including re-establishing the executive-level governance of
            emissions reduction actions.
     7. Plan for and resource the effort fully (commensurate with the level of risk faced).
         a. Adequate resourcing is required for both emissions reduction & waste resource and
            recovery in order to unlock the economic opportunities associated with a low-carbon and
            circular economy.
     8. Ensure comprehensive asset monitoring, evaluation, optimisation and performance
        improvement over time, with integration into Asset Management Systems and asset
        maintenance and renewal processes.
     9. Establish a plan for carbon removals and where needed, offsets, from the outset.
          a. Carbon removals will be necessary to balance Council’s unavoidable and unmitigated
             residual emissions. Given the long-term nature of carbon removal projects, early
             strategic planning is needed with incorporation of removals into the broader emissions
             reduction roadmap.
     10. Ensure thorough analyses of financial costs and benefits are completed early and upfront.
          a. Financial allocations should be assigned to actions at the outset, supported by a robust
              evidence base such as Marginal Abatement Cost Curves (MACC), cost-effectiveness
              analyses and pathways analyses, including consideration of alternative funding methods
              and opportunities.
     11. Pair the roadmap with a strong advocacy plan to maximise Council’s leadership impact as
         climate change is a problem of the global commons that requires collective action to
         effectively manage the risks faced.
(10) Deloitte Access Economics (2024) Toward a Net Zero Queensland – Economic impact analysis of the 75% interim emissions
reduction target by 2035. https://www.deloitte.com/content/dam/assets-zone1/au/en/docs/services/economics/toward-net-zero-
queensland.pdf
(11)      The     Treasury     (2025)        Australia’s net    zero   transformation:   Treasury    modelling    and        analysis.
https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-09/p2025-700922.pdf

5. Updated Emissions Reduction Strategy
A climate positive investment roadmap is currently being prepared which models the cost benefits
and co-benefits of actions that can accelerate the reduction of organisational emissions, primarily in
the waste and Scope 3 (supply chain) sectors. This will inform an ambitious, science-based,
achievable set of targets to have a net positive impact on the climate in the near future.

Experienced emissions reduction consultants, 100% Renewables, have been engaged this financial
year to assist in the technical modelling that underpins the roadmap and to ensure that it aligns with
Council’s existing plans and strategies.

Key activities that are advancing as part of the roadmap include:
•    A series of workshops with Councillors have been held to ensure Council is across the latest
     science, data, legislation and policy which underpin the investment roadmap and inform
     Council’s decision making.
•    Development of an updated Marginal Abatement Cost Curve - a tool used to evaluate and
     compare the cost-effectiveness of different emissions reduction actions.

Page 10

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING                                        9 DECEMBER 2025


•   Modelling of different waste diversion scenarios for future actions outlined in the Waste to
    Resource Plan alongside new opportunities not previously considered.
•   Determining local options for carbon removal using FullCAM to model tree planting, land use
    change, and soil carbon.
•   Analysis on budget and resourcing requirements to deliver on the roadmap actions.
At this stage, the focus for emissions reduction actions is likely to be on accelerating organic waste
processing and food waste treatment at the landfill, fast-tracking development of the Resource
Recovery and Renewables Hub, engaging suppliers to support decarbonisation of supply chains,
and implementing a fleet electrification transition plan. The roadmap will also address residual
emissions through carbon removal projects, with priority given to initiatives located within the Shire
to maximise local environmental and community co-benefits. In parallel, an investment strategy will
be developed to enable innovative and alternative funding options as well as the resources needed
to help accelerate the delivery of these actions.

Setting a new emissions reduction pathway that aligns with the latest climate science and
establishing a clear investment plan is not only best practice, but it also allows Council to show
leadership in its commitment to minimise the increasing impacts of climate change on the
community, whilst reducing potential legal liability exposure for inadequately addressing foreseeable
risks, a position affirmed by Council’s insurers, LGMS. The development of the investment road map
will incorporate lessons learned, both successes and challenges, from the setting of the 2026 date
in the ZEN Strategy and will demonstrate to community that Council remains committed to climate
mitigation.


Link to Corporate Plan
Theme No. 4 - Future
This theme is focused on our future, strengthening our relationship with First Nations peoples and to
ensure our community is prepared and resilient to change. A focus on youth, climate resilience and
adaptation, sense of place and destination management.

The work directly links to:
Objective 4.7: Fund and implement the Climate Change Response Plan to support Council,
community and the local economy to build resilience and preparedness for climate risks and to
achieve net-zero emissions by 2026.
Key Action: Continue to adequately plan for, prepare and resource for climate change resilience.
Performance Measures: Noosa Council operations and service activities to reach net-zero emissions
by 2026 and By 2028, landfill gas emissions will have reduced by 60% compared to 2021/22.
This work advances a number of Council's Sustainability Principles in the Corporate Plan, particularly
(2) Noosa’s environment is protected, preserved, and managed in a manner that is nature positive,
low carbon and climate resilient and respects our traditional owners spiritual and cultural connection
to Country.

Indirectly, this work advances the following objectives:
3.7 Deliver the waste program focused on accelerating actions and solutions including circular
economy opportunities to cut waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use and regenerate
natural systems.
2.8 Provide opportunities to enhance the health, wellbeing and safety of our communities.
1.5 Deliver expanded vegetation networks, rehabilitation and habitat across the Shire and advocate
to the state and federal governments to assist funding environmental action.

It also links directly to Operational Plan actions, including:
4.7.1: Develop the road map and investment plan towards Zero Emissions for Council services.
5.2.2: Continue to drive emissions reductions and cost savings for Council through implementation

Page 11

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING                                          9 DECEMBER 2025


of the Emissions reduction program including solar, batteries, lighting upgrades,
energy/water/waste/fleet monitoring, electrification and fleet transition, as well as advancing the
large-scale solar feasibility study at the Noosa Waste and Resource Recovery Centre.
5.2.4: Continue to partner with other SEQ councils through the Southeast Queensland Climate
Resilience Alliance, including implementation of the Scope 3 Emissions Project and the Regional
Resilience Capacity Building Project.
2.4.6: Deliver the Go Noosa program including the weekend and Holiday Bus program, as part of
the Transport Strategy to reduce traffic congestion and reduce emissions.




Previous Council Consideration
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 19 December 2024
That Council note the report by the Sustainability & Climate Change Project Officer to the General
Committee Meeting dated 16 December 2024 providing an update on the implementation of the
Noosa Climate Change Response Plan.

Ordinary Meeting Minutes 20 March 2025
That Council
A. Note the report by the Sustainability and Climate Change Officer - Carbon Reduction to the
General Committee dated 17 March 2025 regarding Noosa Council's Organisational Carbon
Footprint;
B. Note that the report includes a calculation of the 2023/2024 Carbon Footprint for Noosa Council
as an organisation and its progress in emissions reduction; and
C. Note that a separate report will be presented to a future Council Meeting on the roadmap and
investment strategy to net zero emissions.


Finance
Since 2016, Council has invested $2.1m over ten years towards direct emissions reduction programs
through the ZEN Capital Works Program as shown in Figure 4. Additional operational budget of
approximately $250,000/yr has been allocated in recent years to support the community to also take
action to reduce its emissions. This funding has been leveraged to bring in $2.07m of external grant
funding for projects such as the Noosaville Community Battery, the batteries at Council’s Evacuation
Centres and the recent Community Energy Upgrades. This financial allocation has been supported
by one dedicated Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) staff resource and a temporary part time project
resource over the last 6-12 months.
As the risks associated with climate change continue to grow, it is important to account for the
monetary impacts that continued emissions of greenhouse gases create. The widely recognised
social cost of carbon represents the monetary value of the net harm to society from emitting one
tonne of a given greenhouse gas into the atmosphere each year. The social cost includes the value
of all future climate change impacts (both positive and negative), including changes in net agricultural
productivity, human health effects, property damage from increased flood risk, changes in the
frequency and intensity of disasters, risk of conflict, disruption in energy systems, environmental
migration and the value of ecosystem services1. Using a conservative estimate of the social cost of
carbon published by the U.S. EPA which aligns with the latest science, Council’s operational
emissions are costing society approximately $17.8 million per year, which will continue to increase
over time, and which will largely fall to future generations to bear, unless emissions are significantly
reduced.
The report on the Investment road map to be provided to Council by April next year and will include
a detailed plan to reduce emissions, paired with a long-term investment strategy, and explicit costs
for the accelerated actions required to deliver meaningful and large-scale reductions across the
organisation. The investment strategy will be designed to align the financial scale of action with the
urgency and magnitude of the change needed to both reduce climate related risks and maximise the
opportunity associated with concerted action.

Page 12

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING                                            9 DECEMBER 2025



Risk & Opportunities
It is well recognised that climate change affects everyone and everything in society. Its causes are
multiple, complex, and systemic, requiring solutions to be widespread, sustainable and multi-
disciplinary. Climate change risk has relevance both immediately and over the long-term: it is a
measurable financial risk, an insurance risk, a legal risk, and a physical risk to assets and to life. The
recent National Climate Risk Assessment, released by the Australian Government, identified 63
nationally significant climate risks including risks to food and water security, community health and
wellbeing, First Nations cultural knowledge and practice, critical infrastructure, government finance
and capacity, economy, social cohesion, supply chains, migration and displacement, productivity
and profitability in primary industries, and the loss of biodiversity and natural values that underpin
liveability in Noosa. The level of risk to Council and the Noosa community continues to grow as
global emissions increase and impacts begin to be felt. The increasing frequency and severity of
climate hazards including flooding, sea level rise, bushfires, drought, landslides, extreme heat,
severe storms and cyclones are evident in the succession of local disasters in recent years.

There are also significant risks associated with the systemic shift required to reach a net zero and
climate resilient future. These are driven by impacts to markets, technology, policy, and reputation
during the global transition, and can include the risks associated with carbon tariffs, stranded assets,
institutional and governance disruption, economic disruption, higher energy costs and increased
costs of compliance.

There are risks should Council not continue to implement or adequately resource emissions
reduction actions. Climate change is identified as only one of two ‘extreme’ risks in Council’s Risk &
Opportunity Management Framework, emphasising the importance of making substantial progress
towards addressing climate risks across all areas of the organisation. In addition, advice from legal
experts and the insurance industry indicate that a reasonable response to the foreseeable risk of
climate change should include implementation of a credible, transparent and target-based emissions
reduction strategy with a genuine intent to achieve changes. Setting a strong target with a
commitment to invest in reducing Council’s climate pollution is a method of reducing Council’s legal
and liability risk.

As a problem of the global commons, to effectively manage for climate risks, governments at all
levels, businesses, households, and the community, also each have important, complementary, and
shared responsibilities in addressing the cause of climate change through the reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions. Council has an important role in demonstrating leadership and
advocating for everyone to play their part in this collective action challenge which disproportionately
impacts youth and the most vulnerable in society.

Council’s strategy importantly includes a strong focus on the benefits that come with effectively
responding to climate change. Evidence shows that the most significant opportunities are afforded
to those who plan early and take proactive action to mitigate and adapt to expected impacts. These
opportunities include: improving air quality, water quality and biodiversity health; improving public
health and wellbeing; reducing social vulnerabilities and inequities; ensuring sustainable food
systems; reducing lifecycle costs; efficiently using natural resources; building energy independence;
improving self-sufficiency; restoring natural systems; building partnerships and cooperation;
promoting diversity and inclusivity across sectors; avoiding and reducing growing damage and
maintenance costs; facilitating innovation and creating jobs in clean and green tech industries;
preserving cultural heritage; and avoiding carbon tariffs, stranded assets and costs of compliance.

There is also strong agreement amongst experts on the significant return on investment associated
with climate resilience and disaster preparedness in the face of increasing threats. Analyses from
the Insurance Council of Australia, the Productivity Commission and Deloitte show that for every
dollar invested on resilience measures that better protect communities from extreme weather (such
as installing backup energy storage systems at key community centres), ten dollars are returned in

Page 13

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING                                             9 DECEMBER 2025


avoided damage and recovery costs.

Council has established a Climate Change Response Plan, Coastal Hazards Adaptation Plan, Zero
Emissions Organisational Strategy, Regional Climate Action Roadmap with Sunshine Coast Council,
multiple supporting policies, Sustainability Principles, Adaptation Principles, and a low-carbon,
nature positive, and climate resilient goal in its Corporate Plan. The Noosa LGA is a designated
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the first local government in Queensland to declare a climate
emergency. Regional partnerships with the ZEN Inc, Sunshine Coast Council, UniSC, Kabi Kabi
Peoples Aboriginal Corporation, UQ, SEQCRA and others continue to grow. It is clear that there are
significant benefits associated with building on this momentum and capturing the transformative
opportunities that come with effectively responding to risks associated with climate change.


Human Rights
Human Rights Compatibility Statement
In developing this Report, the subject matter has been considered in accordance with the
requirements of the Queensland Human Rights Act 2019. It is considered that the subject matter
does not conflict with any human rights and supports a human rights approach to decision making
by Council. Council representatives will endeavour to act and make decisions under this report in a
manner that is compatible with human rights. This report should be read in conjunction with
Council’s Human Rights Policy.


Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
NA
Internal Consultation
Departments consulted:
     Office of the CEO, Mayor &             Community Services               Corporate Services
             Councillors
 x    Mayor & Councillors             x   Director                    x   Director
 x    Chief Executive Officer             Community Development           Financial Services
      Executive Officers                  Sport & Active Lifestyles       Fleet
      Community Engagement                Arts & Culture                  Revenue Services
      People & Culture                    Community Connection            ICT
      Governance                          Customer Experience         x   Procurement

                                                                          Commercial Property

      Strategy & Environment              Development & Regulation        Infrastructure Services
 x    Director                            Director                    x   Director
 x    Strategy & Sustainability           Development Assessment      x   Infrastructure Planning, Design
                                                                          and Delivery
 x    Economic Development        &       Local Laws                      Civil and Asset operations
      Destination Management
 x    Environmental Services              Environmental Health        x   Waste
      Innovation & Digital Hub            Building & Plumbing             Building & Facilities
                                          Property / Permits              Disaster Management