2017-09-18 General Committee Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                        18 SEPTEMBER 2017


5                        ZERO EMISSIONS NOOSA ORGANISATIONAL STRATEGY
DOCUMENT INFORM AT ION




Author                           Carbon Reduction Project Officer, Anne Nolan
                                 Executive Services Department
                                 (to be transitioned to Environment and Sustainable Development Department)

Index                            ECM/ Subject / Carbon Emission Reduction – Council Organisation

Attachments                      Nil


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The following report summarises the activities undertaken in accordance with Council’s Zero
Emissions Noosa Organisational Strategy and outlines proposed future actions.

The organisation’s carbon footprint for 2015/16 as determined by Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE)
in its initial assessment has been recalculated in accordance with recognised methodology and
has been reviewed by a registered auditor. The recalculated footprint provides a revised
baseline and identifies that the emissions from the Noosa Landfill are significantly higher than
initially estimated. The robust methodology used to calculate landfill emissions requires historical
data which was not available for the initial baseline calculation. Further work is underway to
identify opportunities to improve the landfill gas capture rates and to reduce the organic material
ending up in the landfill.

The same methodology was used to calculate the 2016/17 carbon footprint which demonstrated
a 6% reduction in emissions compared to 2015/16. Council will use this methodology to calculate
its carbon footprint on an annual basis.

A Level 2 Energy Audit of nine (9) of Council buildings and facilities with the highest energy
consumption has been undertaken by independent consultants to identify energy efficiency and
renewable energy opportunities. The process also involved the development of a Marginal
Abatement Cost Curve (MACC) tool to assess the cost-benefits of actions to ensure funds are
invested where the greatest impact can be achieved.

It is important to get an accurate baseline before significant CO2.e. reduction initiatives are
introduced so that Council’s reduction over time can be readily determined.

Capital Projects to be undertaken in the 2017/18 year have been identified and are currently in
the procurement process.


RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Carbon Reduction Project Officer to the General Committee
Meeting dated 18 September 2017 providing a summary of the activities undertaken in
accordance with Council’s Zero Emissions Noosa Organisational Strategy.




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