City of Newcastle will transition to a fleet of electric vehicles, increase renewable energy generation and battery storage and switch all lighting to LED over the next five years under a proposed new climate action plan.
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The plan, which will go before the council on Tuesday, aims to accelerate emission reduction across the city.
It replaces the 2020 Carbon and Water Management Action Plan, sets new targets and outlines innovative and sustainable programs to achieve net zero emissions by 2030.
Under its previous climate plan the council reduced electricity usage by 21 per cent, upgraded 31 per cent of streetlights to LEDs, secured 100 per cent of electricity from renewable sources, reduced potable water usage by more than 14 per cent, cut the city's carbon footprint by 77 per cent for all operations other than waste and reduced liquid fuel use by 7 per cent
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the plan would build upon the achievements of recent years that has led to Newcastle being recognised as one of Australia's leading cities in sustainability.
"City of Newcastle has formally committed to the Paris Climate Agreement and we accept there is a global climate emergency. We owe it to our children to prioritise concrete action on climate change," she said.
"As Novocastrians, we have seen first-hand the impacts of climate change, be it the erosion of Stockton Beach or increasingly severe storms that beached the Pasha Bulka.
"The city, in developing this plan, has worked closely with the community, business and industry, while assessing global best practice and applying it in a local context.
"Over the next five years we'll take advantage of emerging technology and utilise more recycled and low-emissions materials in our operations.
City of Newcastle is a founding member of Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), a founding member of the Business Renewables Centre, a member of the Cities Power Partnership, a member of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, and recently became a Pioneer City for ICLEI's CitiesWithNature program.
Matthew Kelly
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
