2020-12-08 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                    8 DECEMBER 2020


Financial Risk
Council will eventually reach an “emissions floor” whereby the emission reduction initiatives
undertaken on Council facilities reach a level where further reductions are not technologically or
economically viable. To achieve its net zero emissions goal, Council will be required to purchase
carbon offsets. This will result in an annual financial liability to Council. The price of carbon offsets
is likely to increase over time due to increased demand within the voluntary and regulatory
environment. Council officers are also investigating opportunities for generating its own carbon
offsets.
Any changes to the carbon footprint calculation methodology such as the inclusion of leased
premises and employee commuting will potentially increase Council’s emissions as result, the
number of carbon offsets that Council will need to generate or purchase. Council is also
investigating carbon draw down methodologies which may result in a decrease in the number of
offsets required to be purchased.
Project Risk
The risk of implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects is low. The price of
renewable energy is reducing over time and the technology is improving over time.
Time Risk
The Council’s target is net zero emissions by 2026. This is a very ambitious target and there is a
risk that Council will not achieve this without considering sequestration opportunities or
generating/purchasing carbon offsets.
Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
Nil
Internal Consultation
     ZEN Project Control Group
       o   Director Environment and Sustainable Development
       o   Director Corporate Services
       o   Director Executive Services
       o   Director Community Services
     ZEN Operational Team
       o   Representative managers and staff
This report provides the annual status update to Council of the implementation of the ZEN
organisation strategy and Council’s carbon footprint. In addition to this annual report, a number of
workshops have been held with Council over the past 12 months to provide updates and discuss
a range of initiatives towards zero emissions.
Departments/Sections Consulted:
      Chief Executive Officer   X   Community Services                      X   Corporate Services
      Executive Officer         x   Director                                x   Director
      Executive Support             Community Development                       Financial Services
                                x   Community Facilities                        ICT
                                    Libraries & Galleries                       Procurement & Fleet
                                    Local Laws                                  Property
                                x   Waste & Environmental Health                Revenue Services

      Executive Services        X   Environment & Sustainable Development   X   Infrastructure Services
      Director                  x   Director                                    Director
      Community Engagement          Building & Plumbing Services                Asset Management
      Customer Service              Development Assessment                  x   Buildings and Facilities
      Governance                    Economic Development                        Civil Operations
      People and Culture        x   Environmental Services                      Disaster Management
                                x   Strategic Land Use Planning             X   Infrastructure Planning,
                                                                                Design and Delivery


                                                                                           Page 71 of 77