2021-03-09 P&E Agenda - Item 8 - Attachment 1 - Climate Change Response Plan

        through the Australian Energy Foundation
       Partnered with ZEN Inc on a range of initiatives including solar for business, the
        electric vehicle expo and Race to Zero school program.

Council has made significant savings in electricity costs due to the installation of rooftop
solar and energy efficiency initiatives. The annual electricity bill for large sites has been
reduced by $1.7 million since the commencement of the program in 2017.

In 2017 Council prepared a Climate Change Response Policy setting out our commitment to
proactively plan and prepare for climate change, and for building knowledge and capacity as
an organisation.

Council is also progressing the development and implementation of a Coastal Hazard
Adaptation Plan for addressing increasing risks associated with coastal erosion, tidal
inundation and sea level rise for public and private assets, as well as critical public
infrastructure.

The Noosa Council Environment Strategy was also adopted in 2019 with outcomes and
targets for both emission reduction and climate adaptation. This includes the target that
Noosa Council operations, and the Noosa community as a whole, reaches zero net
emissions by 2026.

Through its participation in the Queensland Climate Resilient Councils, and Cities Power
Partnership initiatives, Council has joined many other local governments across Queensland
and Australia in committing to a sustainable post-COVID economic recovery that creates
local jobs, supports industries and sectors that invest in a zero-carbon future, and
contributes to sustainable resilient communities.


A better future
Through these activities and the strategic priorities and actions outlined within this Climate
Change Response Plan, Noosa Council is striving to lead by example by making positive
progress, showing the way, and supporting and inspiring others.

Together, Council and the community are well positioned to be a powerful influencer to drive
deep systemic change from the grassroots level. This includes:

       Transition to zero net emissions for Council operations and for the community
       Transition to 100% renewable energy powering Council buildings and facilities,
        and powering Noosa Shire
       Drive clean low emissions industry, and innovative technologies and solutions that
        address the climate crisis
       Be a well informed and prepared community that considers climate change in in
        making day-to-day and business decisions
       Facilitate sustainable, resilient and adaptive communities, buildings and
        infrastructure to help reduce the impacts of climate change
       Support vulnerable populations, ensuring inclusion in solutions and equitable
        access to opportunities and benefits
       Accelerate transition to sustainable transport and increase mobility through new
        technologies and active modes of transport such as walking and cycling
       Enhance ecosystem health, adaptive capacity and carbon drawdown whilst
        balancing other climate risks such as more frequent bushfires
       Grow and distribute food locally and sustainably, enabled by sustainable land


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Noosa Climate Change Response Plan - draft for council endorsement March 2021