Yarra is transitioning to 100% renewable electricity by 2030. Find information on advocacy and the 100% Renewable Yarra campaign.
All of Yarra's electricity needs are met by 100% renewable electricity, through a combination of rooftop solar and electricity supplied by a renewable electricity Power Purchase Agreement through the Melbourne Renewable Energy Project.
Our remaining operational emissions are largely from gas usage in Council buildings (around 36% of total emissions) and transport (around 46%).
In our Climate Emergency Plan, we committed to transitioning our buildings off gas to 100% renewable electricity by 2030. This involved transitioning the small sites council operates by 2022, with larger, more complex facilities to be transitioned by 2030.
25 Council buildings, including childcare facilities, seniors’ centres and other community facilities, have been transitioned from gas to renewable electricity.
This involves replacing gas cookers with electric induction cookers, gas heaters with electric reverse-cycle air conditioners and gas hot water systems with efficient heat pump systems.
For larger sites including libraries, leisure centres and town halls, the work to transition off gas to all-electric is more complex. It is anticipated that the transition will be implemented as part of planned renewal projects and completed by 2030.
Supporting the community to transition to all-electric homes
Our 100% Renewable Yarra campaign is engaging our community to create a city powered by 100% renewables.
There are four ways to take action:
During this campaign we have delivered several webinars on buying renewable energy, installing solar and batteries, a renewables-led recovery creating an all-electric home and more.
To view the webinars, visit the web pages above.
Zero carbon developments
Zero carbon developments are new buildings that have no net carbon emissions. They are typically designed and built to be highly energy efficient and not use gas or coal-fired electricity.
We're working with other partners towards a planning scheme amendment to introduce zero carbon standards for new commercial and residential developments.
Read more about zero carbon developments.
Advocating for a transition away from gas
A rapid transition away from gas requires policy reform at federal and state government to drive major changes in the energy sector.
We have a key role to play in advocating at other levels of government for stronger climate action including accelerating to 100% renewable grid-supplied electricity and a fast transition away from gas.
The Victorian Government is exploring sustainable alternatives and pathways for the gas sector to transition to net zero emissions. They are developing a Gas Substitution Roadmap that will provide a strategic policy framework for decarbonising natural gas in Victoria.
In July 2021, we made a submission to the Victorian Government on the Gas Substitution Roadmap consultation paper. Read our submission on the Gas Substitution Roadmap [ PDF, 362.22 KB] .