2016-05-16 General Committee Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   16 MAY 2016


                                   Attachment 1




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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                       16 MAY 2016

                                                                                       Attachment 1

    zm         Niele                                                       Council Policy
  ff  @ |     COUNCIL                                          EMISSION CARBON

    Corporate Plan Reference:                A Sustainable Council
    Endorsed by Council:                     <Insert Date of Ordinary Meeting >
    Policy Author:                           Executive Manager

    POLICY BACKGROUND
    On 24 September 2015 Council agreed to the development of a Carbon Reduction and Energy
    Efficiency Plan and on 19 November 2015 Council adopted its Sustainability Principles, with those
    principles to be incorporated into Council's key strategy documents. The first principle noted that
    resources are to be sustainably managed so that the lifestyle of the community is preserved,
    without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

    Noosa has a beautiful natural environment and its community is known for a strong commitment to
    sustainability and protection of that natural environment. Consequently, Noosa Shire sought and
    received recognition as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, aiming to achieve a sustainable balance
    between humans and the environment.

    Although there is no legislative requirement for councils to have an energy or carbon plan or to
    establish carbon emissions targets, many local governments are taking the initiative to be both
    proactive and resource efficient. Some Australian local government areas have already committed
    to zero emission targets with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
    As a leader in developing and managing the sustainability of the shire, Council's own actions to
    reduce greenhouse gas emissions demonstrate its commitment to this issue.
    Through information and guidance, the community can also be supported to improve sustainability
    at the household level.

    COUNCIL POLICY
    Council commits to a reduction in carbon and greenhouse gas emissions with a view to
    establishing a zero emissions target in Council's operations and services. We will lead by example
    and become an inspiration to the Noosa Shire community and beyond.
    We seek to take meaningful action to reduce the organisation’s impact on climate change_and to
    achieve environmental benefits and/or long term cost savings  by reducing our overall energy
    requirements through a combination of energy efficiency measures and transitioning to renewable
    energy sources. In doing so we will build a Council that is increasingly resilient to rising energy and
  | fuelpetro! prices and better able to meet our agreed sustainability principles.

    The Policy will drive greater efficiency in Council’s use of natural resources by:

    a) __ Investing directly in appropriate actions - It is important for the long-term sustainability of
         Council’s operations that we are efficient and effective. This includes gaining a better
         understanding of current energy usage and reducing the amount of electricity and fuel
         consumed, especially where sourced from fossil fuels. Council can potentially make
         improvements via new technologies and options that focus on clean energy.

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