Sydney City Council Goes Carbon Neutral

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The City of Sydney has become the first government in Australia to attain carbon neutrality, announced the council’s CEO, Monica Barone on Tuesday. This was accomplished by increasing energy efficiency, switching to renewables and using carbon offsets. The government will shell out about USD 2.2 million annually to purchase wind power in order to offset its fuel and electricity usage.

The City generated 48,556.07 tons of carbon emissions in 2006-07. Direct emissions accounted for 9% of the total, indirect emissions caused by the council’s energy usage like street lighting were responsible for the biggest chunk, that is, 72% and the remaining 19% were a result of ‘other emissions’ or those generated indirectly through the its operations.

The City’s goal is to maintain its carbon-neutral status in the future as well and to this end it’s working on a five-year strategy that includes regularly measuring its carbon emissions, reducing energy consumption, increasing efficiency, using 100% renewable energy and offsetting unavoidable carbon emissions.