Our climate change action
Local climate change action
Taking action on climate change is a priority for Woollahra Council and has been for many years. In 2019 Woollahra Council declared a climate emergency, acknowledging the catastrophic changes to the world’s climate caused by human activity. Since that time, Council has set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and taken a number of big steps to reduce the emissions generated by Council as an organisation and assisted our community to do the same.
Certified carbon neutral
We are very proud to acknowledge that we were the third local government organisation in New South Wales to reach ‘net zero emissions’ and be certified as carbon neutral by Climate Active. We’ve been certified carbon neutral since July 2018.
Using 100% renewable energy
From 1 July 2022 we’ll be using 100% renewable energy to power all of our 74 Council sites including buildings, parks and street lighting. Our energy contract links with three NSW solar farms, reducing our emissions by nearly 50 per cent.
Installing rooftop solar
We’ve also installed large solar systems on the library building at Double Bay. We now have over 175 kW of solar power on our rooftops, producing energy to help power our library building and seven other Council sites.
Supporting the transition to electric vehicles
We’re supporting the transition to electric vehicles by installing public charging stations in key locations including Goodhope Street in Paddington, Kiaora Place Shopping Centre in Double Bay and Norwich Road in Rose Bay. We’ve also updated our Development Control Plans to support EV charging in new buildings.
Upgrading our street lights
To help reduce our local emissions 1400 street lights in our area have been replaced with energy efficient LED lights. This project is expected to reduce our street light electricity use by 15 per cent and reduce Council’s emissions by about 300 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Increasing tree canopy
To shade and cool our suburbs and absorb carbon emissions we are planting canopy trees and developing an Urban Forest Strategy.
Diverting waste from landfill
Our Kitchen to Compost program uses the green bin service to help keep your kitchen scraps out of landfill. This program reduces greenhouse gas emissions and returns vital nutrients back to the environment.
Our Compost Revolution program supports residents with skills and equipment to compost their kitchen scraps at home.
Setting ambitious targets
In 2021 Council committed to an aspirational target of net zero emissions for the Woollahra Municipality by 2030. Council also joined the Cities Race to Zero Campaign and the Cities Power Partnership.
Using recycled materials on our roads
Woollahra Council is trialling an innovative new sustainable asphalt product called Reconophalt at multiple sites in Vaucluse, Rose Bay, Double Bay, Paddington, Woollahra and Darling Point.
Supporting our community to reduce their emissions
Read our top ten tips to reduce your emisisons and household waste.
Our programs to support the community transition to renewables include:
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