Adelaide aims to be world's first carbon neutral city

Adelaide is on its way to becoming the world's first carbon neutral city.

Professional services firm pitt&sherry has been engaged by the South Australian Government and Adelaide City Council to work on the development of a strategy to make Adelaide a carbon neutral city.

Dubbed the Carbon Neutral Adelaide initiative it is part of the state government’s climate change strategy, which includes an overall goal of cutting emissions by 60 per cent on 1990 levels by 2050.

For Adelaide to become the world’s first carbon neutral city it will need to cut its emissions output to zero, and also beat a number of rivals to the milestone.  Melbourne is targeting the same goal by 2020.

According to Philip Harrington, carbon and energy principal consultant at pitt&sherry, Adelaide has the potential to become carbon neutral by focusing on the efficiency of its transport system and buildings, while also moving as quickly as possible to ramp up the use of electricity from renewable energy sources.

“Cities and local government areas, such as Adelaide, are stepping up and offering genuine leadership on climate change, energy efficiency and renewable energy,” Harrington said.

“This leadership is much needed in a country that has been viewed internationally in recent times as not having a strong climate change policy.”

pitt&sherry was originally engaged by the state government earlier this year to provide an initial assessment of its carbon neutral strategy for Adelaide. The project was extended to complete a more detailed strategy paper, which is expected to be released in November.

A key legacy of this project will be an emissions projection model for Adelaide City Council, which will be further developed and refined in the future. South Australia, which already generates 38 per cent of its electricity from renewable energy, is hoping to attract $10 billion in low carbon investment to the state.

In addition to improving the efficiency of the transport system and buildings, the government plans to trial driverless cars in Adelaide and make improvements to the waste management and recycling sectors.
The carbon neutral initiative in Adelaide adds to a portfolio of high-profile energy efficiency projects that pitt&sherry has been involved with for capital cities and local governments around Australia.

These projects include being engaged by the City of Sydney as part of its energy efficiency master plan to develop a strategy to reduce energy usage and slash nearly two million tonnes of carbon emissions a year citywide by 2030.

pitt&sherry also helped the ACT Government to develop a strategy that showed the territory was capable of reducing emissions by more than half by 2020 in the context of its Climate Change Action Plan 2.

Harrington said the Adelaide City Council, and other local governments developing energy efficiency initiatives, were not just showing leadership, but also realising significant economic benefits.

“On the one hand it is great they are showing leadership domestically to enhance Australia’s reputation as a country working to reduce energy emissions,” Harrington said.

“On the other hand, there will be direct financial benefits for the City of Adelaide, as well as the local community, which will also become engaged in these strategies.”

To reach this goal within five years, South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill yesterday announced an Adelaide Green Zone proposal which includes tougher standards for energy use and the construction of buildings.
He said the government is seeking to attract socially responsible businesses that want to lower their carbon footprint.

“I think there will be a lot of businesses and companies that want to be part of this, because they’ll want the reputation that goes with being in a carbon neutral city,” the Premier said.

A new "Green Industries SA" renewable energy investment agency will also be established to attract investment and export the state's expertise.