Energy and Emissions
Climate Change is one of the biggest environmental, social and economic challenges that we as a local and international community face.
It can be sobering to realise that our everyday activities such as driving a car, using energy, buying food or disposing of organic waste, are all contributing to the build up of greenhouse gases such as CO2 and methane in the atmosphere. These gases, caused from the burning of fossil fuels and decomposing of waste are making a noticeable change to the world’s climate that will impact on our lives and the lives of our children.
To reduce greenhouse pollution we must use energy much more wisely, and switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. Whether you live, work in or visit Yarra, there are actions you can take to be a part of the effort to reduce Yarra’s impact on climate change.
Find out what Council is doing
Find out what you can do
Energy targets for Yarra
Yarra Council remains committed to sustainability and will by the end of 2012 have cut its energy use by about 17% (from 2000/01 levels). This will be a major achievement despite falling short of Council’s ambitious target of a 30% reduction in energy use by 2012.
According to an Environmental Footprint Report (compiled by Council officers), Council had reduced its energy use by 13.4% in 2011, up from 7% in June 2010, when compared with figures from 2000/2001.
Here is the 
Environmental Footprint Report 2010-11 (345.58 KB)
Environmental Footprint Report 2010-11 (1.06 MB)
Here is the Environmental Footprint Report (682.72 KB) for 2009-10
Council's reduction in energy use has occurred at the same time as Yarra’s residential population has grown by 10,000 people. Increasing services to meet the needs of a growing community and other one-off projects (such as the installation of an air-conditioner at the Collingwood Town Hall to provide more acceptable working conditions) have impacted on Council’s ability to meet the 30% target.
At its September 2011 meeting, Council decided to redirect about $765,000 it had planned to spend on purchasing GreenPower towards direct actions. These actions will include retrofitting more Council facilities with solar panels and installing more energy-efficient lighting. Council intends to spend about $100,000 to purchase accredited carbon offsets for all of its emissions in 2011-2012. With these actions, Council is on track to achieve its target that Council’s operations will be carbon neutral by June 2012.
Energy and greenhouse plans and strategies
Council has developed various plans and strategies focused on reducing our greenhouse emissions.
These plans and strategies include:
Yarra Environment Strategy
Yarra Energy Foundation
Carbon Neutral Action Plan:
Carbon Neutral Action Plan 2010 - 2015 (517.40kB)
Carbon Neutral Action Plan 2010 - 2015 (3.08MB) (rtf format)
More resources on climate change
Climate Change Impacts on Australia
Weekly Greenhouse Indicator
Garnaut Climate Change Review
Department of Climate Change
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Further information
Michael Oke
Coordinator - Environmental Management
9205 5723
Michael.Oke@yarracity.vic.gov.au
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