Organisational Emissions Reduction Progress Report · Report

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.