Zero Carbon Communities
In early May 2020, Imogen Jubb and Nicki Colls from BZE hosted a discussion group webinar on Zero Carbon Communities.
From BZE:
Zero Carbon Communities around Australia are working to reduce local carbon emissions. Many are working towards 100% renewable energy goals and zero emissions targets. Join in to hear the latest from the 50+ communities around Australia championing local action and to see some of the resources and tools on offer to help drive action in your local area.
Snapshot climate
In a review of climate change strategies of local councils from across Australia, BZE found that only 7% had community-wide targets for zero emissions (reducing the emissions of the whole community), and 25% had council-wide targets. That is, reducing the emissions of council operations only.
As a way to help communities begin their journey to zero carbon, BZE have created a website with baseline carbon measures for councils across Australia. From this, councils and communities can know where they should focus efforts. For example, this is the measure for Greater Sydney in 2017:
The highest emissions for Greater Sydney come from electricity, so this is where a focus should be placed for reduction efforts, according to BZE. Compare this to East Gippsland where emissions from agriculture are almost as high as those from electricity. The website is not comprehensive, but it is a good start.
Zero Carbon Communities Guide
BZE have also published a guide for communities to use in their journey toward zero carbon emissions. You can download the guide here. This guide is one of the tools that BZE have created to help communities share resources, tips and tools. The guide includes lots of inspiring case studies.
Their nine steps toward zero emissions are:
- Community engagement
- Setting emissions reduction target
- Council endorsement
- Baseline emissions
- Project options
- Transition Strategy
- Reporting and review
- Storytelling
- Investment.
On the evening we heard from two speakers from the zero carbon communities of Byron and Sydney North. Vicki Brooke from Byron spoke of how they are focusing primarily on solar rooftop installations as electricity is the highest emitter in the region. She also mentioned the Replant Byron initiative which aims to plant 1.8million trees by 2025.
Ursula Hogben from Zero Emissions Sydney North spoke about how they came about as a group after working for Zali Steggall’s federal campaign. She gave the following tips about creating a zero carbon group:
- Being part of a bigger group (like BZE) is important to share resources and make sure you are not always reinventing the wheel.
- Working closely with the local council is important as that is where action can happen.
- Focus on where you can make an impact (see the carbon emission graphs above).
- Have a core group to run things.
- Have some funds to operate! She says they have found that community fundraising is easier and less time consuming than trying to go for $5k and $10k grants. She says that councils also have grants available for community groups which can be drawn upon.
- Have a very specific project that can attract funding.
