Current Status
Environmental Indicators
Environmental data (indicators) are used to monitor trends and the effectiveness of programs. The main indicators are summarised below.
Global warming
Indicator |
2003/04 |
2004/05 |
2005/06 |
2006/07 |
Trend |
Atmospheric C02 (ppm) i |
374 |
376 |
378 |
379 |
|
Global-mean surface temperature Increase (°C) ii |
0.67 |
0.60 |
0.76 |
0.65 |
|
Notes
i Information provided by CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research based on data from the Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station, which is funded and managed by the Australian Bureau of Meteorologyh.
ii Calendar year global observed temperature averages above the climatological mean (1951-1980). Trends show a general increase in global temperature. NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies.< http://data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp/2005 >
Greenhouse gas emissions
Indicator |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
Trend |
Global (t) i |
41 billion |
42.5 billion |
43 billion |
43.5 billion |
|
National (t) ii |
571 million |
572 million |
576 million |
580 million |
|
LGA emissions (t) iii |
3,351,000 |
3,430,000 |
3,509,000 |
3,589,000 |
|
LGA savings (t) iv |
No data |
3,769 |
5,870 |
12,587 |
|
Council emissions (t) v |
35,600 |
36,400 |
37,100 |
37,900 |
|
Council savings (t) vi |
No data |
55 (0%) |
112 (0%) |
1,172 (3%) |
|
Council offsets (t ) vii |
737 (2%) |
4,938 (13%) |
11,675 (31%) |
TBC (100%) |
|
Cities for Climate Protection™ (CCP) program |
Milestone 1 |
Milestone 3 |
|
||
Notes
i Calendar year global greenhouse gas emissions (C02 equivalent) rounded to nearest 1,000 tonnes - from median 2030 modelling forecasts of the Working Group III to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
ii Calendar year forecast estimate (including abatement measures), rounded to nearest 1,000 tonnes, from Tracking To The Kyoto Target 2006, Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO). Figures shown vary to previous SoE reports due to revised AGO data.
iii Calculated Business as Usual (BAU) scenario using Cities for Climate Protection™ software. Results are rounded to nearest 1,000 tonnes. Figures shown vary to previous SoE reports as emissions estimates have been updated using 2001 ABS, ABARE and revised population forecasts.
iv Measures prepared for Milestone 4 of the Cities for Climate Protection™ program based on community greenhouse savings achieved through initiatives such as the 3CBDs Greenhouse Initiative.
v Calculated Business as Usual (BAU) scenario using Cities for Climate Protection™ software. Results are rounded to nearest 100 tonnes.
vi Measures prepared for Milestone 4 of the Cities for Climate Protection program based on Council greenhouse emissions savings achieved through programs such as the energy savings plan and fleet programs. Figures do not include offsets or Green Power.
vii Includes GreenPower used for New Years Eve, properties and street lighting. 2006/07 emissions to be offset through the City’s carbon neutral program.
Electricity
Indicator |
2003/04 |
2004/05 |
2005/06 |
2006/07 |
Trend |
City of Sydney area residential electricity usage (MWh) i |
373,391 |
376,863 |
399,136 |
Unavailable at time of print |
~ |
City of Sydney area business electricity usage (MWh) i |
3,520,574 |
3,576,030 |
3,714,346 |
Unavailable at time of print |
~ |
Council electricity usage (MWh) ii |
31,485 |
33,117 |
37,379 |
39,173 |
|
Council electricity usage per employee (MWh) ii |
21.3 |
22.3 |
24.8 |
24.5 |
|
Council gas usage (GJ) |
No data |
No data |
13,805,950 |
11,612,012 |
|
Total GreenPower purchase in Australia (MWh) iii |
No data |
495,250 |
688,754 |
1,013,707 |
|
GreenPower purchase by Council (MWh) iv |
50 |
4,144 |
7,695 |
39,173 v |
|
Households using GreenPower in Australia iii |
No data |
150,374 |
281,701 |
565,977 |
|
Businesses using GreenPower in Australia iii |
No data |
7,229 |
14,676 |
24,313 |
|
Solar parking meters |
1,194 |
1,268 |
1,267 |
1,264 |
~ |
Notes
i Information provided by Energy Australia for suburbs in and around the City of Sydney. Data is not confined to the LGA and may be based on accruals and estimates. Figures shown vary to previous SoE reports as suburbs used have been changed to more accurately represent the local government boundary.
ii Information provided by Energy Australia. Data for 2003/04 and 2004/05 is based on daily average totals (may not be accurate representation of actual consumption).
iii National GreenPower quarterly reports (residential and commercial sales) < www.greenpower.com.au >
iv Includes properties and public domain lighting, New Years Eve, and fleet offsets. 100% GreenPower to be purchased for 2006/07 through the City’s carbon neutral program.
v Approximate amount of GreenPower to be purchased in 2007/08 respectively for 100 per cent of 2006/07 electricity usage as per with Council Resolution.
Transport
Indicator |
2003/04 |
2004/05 |
2005/06 |
2006/07 |
Trend |
Vehicles per day in LGA i |
808,398 |
816,754 |
809,428 |
794,461 |
|
Staff with travel passes |
194 (13%) |
266 (18%) |
321 (21%) |
338 (21%) |
|
Notes
i Information provided by the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority (does not include Cross City Tunnel). Based on combined direction vehicle numbers for Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Harbour Tunnel, Anzac Bridge, Kings Cross Tunnel, Oxford Street, Parramatta Rd, King Street, Regent St, O'Riordan St, Anzac Pde, and City West Link Rd.
Fleet
Indicator |
2003/04 |
2004/05 |
2005/06 |
2006/07 |
Trend |
Fleet emissions (t) |
2,575 |
2,746 |
2,504 |
2,744 |
~ |
Contractor emissions (t) i |
No data |
No data |
1,060 |
1,309 |
|
Fleet emissions offset (tonnes) ii |
684 (27%) |
1,394 (51%) |
3,564 (100%) |
4,053 (100%) |
|
Notes
i Based on fuel data provided by the City’s major contractors which has not been audited.
ii Fleet offsets include accredited tree plantings and GreenPower. 2006/07 emissions to be offset through the City’s carbon neutral program.
Air Pollution
Indicator |
2003/04 |
2004/05 |
2005/06 |
2006/07 |
Trend |
Low air pollution (days/year) i |
291 |
300 |
287 |
283 |
|
High air pollution (days/year) i |
9 |
6 |
9 |
5 |
|
Carbon monoxide (CO average ppm) ii |
No data |
1.9 |
1.3 |
1.7 |
~ |
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2 average pphm) ii |
No data |
5.2 |
4.7 |
4.4 |
~ |
Total nitrogen oxides(NOx average pphm) ii |
No data |
25.3 |
19.6 |
20.6 |
~ |
Particulate matter (PM10 average ug/m3)ii |
No data |
37.1 |
35.4 |
36.6 |
~ |
No data |
15.1 |
14 |
15.3 |
~ |
Notes
i Information for Central East Sydney by the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change.
ii Ground level Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Results (Mary Ann Street Park, Ultimo). Cross City Tunnel Air Quality Monitoring Reports. 2005/06 figures based on Sep 05 to May 06 monthly averages. National Environment Protection Measure criteria are CO (9 ppm); NO2 (12 pphm); NOx (no standard); PM10 (50 µg/m3); and PM2.5 (25 µg/m3) < www.crosscity.com.au >
Legend
Degrees Celsius (°C)
Megawatt hour (MWh)
Parts per million (ppm)
Tonne (t)
