2020-12-08 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                      8 DECEMBER 2020


5                        NOOSA COUNCIL CARBON FOOTPRINT REPORT 2019/2020
DOCUMENT INFORM AT ION




Author                           Project Officer Carbon Reduction, Anne Nolan
                                 Environment & Sustainable Development Department

Index                            ECM/ Subject / Carbon Emission Reduction (ZEN)

Attachments                      1.   Electricity Consumption Data for Council Owned Large Sites


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Noosa Council’s Zero Emissions Organisational Strategy 2016-2026 (“ZEN Strategy”) aims to
achieve an ambitious net zero emissions target by 2026. The following report provides details of
the 2019/20 carbon footprint and outlines the actions that have been undertaken in line with the
ZEN Strategy and the Cities Power Partnership pledges.
Council’s carbon footprint has been calculated in accordance with the Climate Active Carbon
Neutral Standard, previously known as the National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS). In 2019/20
Council’s carbon footprint was 49,999 tonnes CO2e. This is a 2% reduction from the previous
year’s carbon footprint.
Emissions from the decomposition of organic matter in the Noosa Landfill comprise 63% of
Council’s carbon emissions. There has been a slight increase in emissions from the landfill in
2019/20 compared to the previous year, due to reduced landfill gas capture. Council is continuing
to work with the landfill gas contractor to improve gas capture. The forthcoming waste strategy will
consider further opportunities to reduce organic waste to landfill in addition to existing green waste
bins.
Emissions from electricity consumption in Council operations decreased by 25%, compared to the
previous year. Council has implemented energy efficiency savings such as LED lighting upgrades,
air conditioning changes and has also installed over 490 kW of Solar PV on Council properties
which has resulted in net electricity consumption savings from the electricity grid of around 50–
60% depending upon the site and the size of the PV system. This was also reflected in a 28%
reduction in emissions associated with the transport and distribution of electricity (Scope 3)
compared to the previous year.
A revised methodology for the calculation of embedded emissions in purchased goods and
services (Scope 3) resulted in an 8% reduction compared to the previous year.
As a result of a 3rd party review of Council’s footprint methodology, and a new set of guidelines for
the Climate Active Carbon Neutral Standard, emissions from Council related business travel have
been included this year’s carbon footprint. Council officers will continue to improve data collection
methodology for emissions calculation from leased assets and employee commuting to be included
in future carbon footprints as recommended by the review.
To date, Council has focussed on reducing emissions at the source, however it is likely that an
“emissions floor” will be reached whereby further emission reductions are not technically or
economically feasible. Council will need to consider options for dealing with residual emissions
such as sequestration and offsetting in the future.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Project Officer Carbon Reduction to the Planning &
Environment Committee Meeting dated 8 December 2020 that includes a calculation of the 2019/20
Carbon Footprint for Noosa Council and its progress towards the target of net zero emissions by
2026 .



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