ALPINE Shire councillors have formalised their intent to deliver further greenhouse gas emission reductions, formally adopting council’s Climate Action Plan 2025-29 at last week’s monthly meeting held at the Mount Beauty Community Centre.

The plan builds on initiatives identified in the Climate Action Plan 2021-2024, wherein council committed to reducing its corporate greenhouse gas emissions - achieving net zero in July 2023.

The updated plan will focus on baselining scope three greenhouse gas emissions, including emissions within supply chains and leased facilities, to ensure that assets, operations, and services are resilient to the impacts of climate change.

Mayor, Cr Sarah Nicholas, said the updated plan provides clear direction for council to prioritise actions that will have the greatest impact for Alpine Shire communities based on current climate science and best practice.

“While we have achieved net zero for scope one and two greenhouse gas emissions, we are focused on measuring and seeking to reduce scope three emissions, which we anticipate will be greater than those set out in scope one and two,” she said.

“The updated plan has an ambitious focus on both mitigation and adaptation, but the actions outlined are achievable.”

Cr Nicholas said the plan is more than a commitment, “it’s a blueprint for resilience”.

“By leading with bold, practical steps, we’re not only strengthening council’s ability to adapt, but also empowering our communities to thrive in a changing climate,” she said.

To date, council has achieved the following emissions reductions and financial savings:

- reduced annual GHG emissions by 1770 tons compared to council’s 2018/19 baseline;

- met 15 per cent of total electricity needs on council-owned facilities through implementation of solar;

- saved over $38,000 annually from implementation of solar across 12 council-owned facilities;

- saved $100,000 annually from upgrading streetlights to LED;

- saved $446,000 in one-off income from Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECS);

- saved $65,000 annually by joining the Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO) 100 per cent renewable electricity Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

Cr Nicholas said the updated plan will continue to build on these efforts to ensure that council has a robust understanding of its current greenhouse gas emissions profile so that it can identify actions to expand emission reduction efforts and prioritise deliverables to achieve the most impactful outcomes in climate change mitigation and adaption.

She said council declared a climate emergency on 9 November, 2021 in recognition of the need for immediate and urgent action to reverse global warming.

You can read the Climate Action Plan 2025-29 on council’s website.