Organisational Emissions Reduction Progress Report · Report

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