City of Sydney

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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

trend - decline

Global-mean surface temperature Increase (°C) ii

0.67

0.60

0.76

0.65

trend - decline

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

trend - decline

National (t) ii

571 million

572 million

576 million

580 million

trend - decline

LGA emissions (t) iii

3,351,000

3,430,000

3,509,000

3,589,000

trend - decline

LGA savings (t) iv

No data

3,769

5,870

12,587

trend - improvement

Council emissions (t) v

35,600

36,400

37,100

37,900

trend - decline

 

Council savings (t) vi

No data

55 (0%)

112 (0%)

1,172 (3%)

trend - improvement

Council offsets (t ) vii

737 (2%)

4,938 (13%)

11,675 (31%)

TBC (100%)

trend - improvement

Cities for Climate Protection™ (CCP) program

Milestone 1

Milestone 3

trend - improvement

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.

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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

trend - decline

Council electricity usage per employee (MWh) ii

21.3

22.3

24.8

24.5

trend - improvement

Council gas usage (GJ)

No data

No data

13,805,950

11,612,012

trend - improvement

Total GreenPower purchase in Australia (MWh) iii

No data

495,250

688,754

1,013,707

trend - improvement

GreenPower purchase by Council (MWh) iv

50

4,144

7,695

39,173 v

trend - improvement

Households using GreenPower in Australia iii

No data

150,374

281,701

565,977

trend - improvement

Businesses using GreenPower in Australia iii

No data

7,229

14,676

24,313

trend - improvement

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

trend - improvement

Staff with travel passes

194 (13%)

266 (18%)

321 (21%)

338 (21%)

trend - improvement

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.

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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

trend - decline

Fleet emissions offset (tonnes) ii

684 (27%)

1,394 (51%)

3,564 (100%)

4,053 (100%)

trend - improvement

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

trend - improvement

High air pollution (days/year) i

9

6

9

5

trend - improvement

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

~

Particulate matter (PM2.5 average ug/sqm) ii

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)

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Last Updated: Wednesday 20 August, 2008
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Please Note:
While care is taken to ensure accuracy, the City of Sydney cannot guarantee that information expressed here is correct and recommends that users exercise their own skill and care with respect to its use. The City of Sydney makes no warranty or undertaking, whether expressed or implied, nor does it assume any legal liability, whether direct or indirect.