City of Sydney

| Skip to Content | Skip to Menu | Careers  | Contact Us  |   About Us  |   Media Releases

Carbon Neutral

The City of Sydney is the first local Government in Australia to be certified as carbon neutral under the National Carbon Offset Standard

carbon neutral certified

The journey began in 2008 when the City of Sydney first reduced and offset 100% of its greenhouse gas emissions.

We do this to reduce impacts of climate change, meet public and staff expectations, show leadership, influence sustainable market processes, and reduce costs through energy savings.

Building on the City's target to reduce our 2006 emissions by 20 per cent by 2012, we remain carbon neutral each year by measuring our greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency, renewable energy and offsets. We are now in the processes of developing our 2010/11 emissions inventory.

Back to top

Our emissions

Emissions inventory

SUMMARY 1 tCO2-e Scope(s) 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10

2010/11

 
Electricity - Properties 2,3 27,341 27,685 27,033 23,727 23,552

22,920
Electricity - Parks 2,3 2,501 2,636 2,610 2,849 2,877

2,577
Electricity - Street lighting 2,3 15,131 15,699 16,057 15,636 15,269

14,783
Fleet 1,3 2,669 3,022 2,954 3,212 3,225

3,175
Natural gas 1,3 1,435 1,391 1,593 2,023 1,652

1,798
Contractors 3 1,150 1,315 1,407 1,548 1,378

1,253
Events 3 952 952 982 1,007 306

294
Refrigerants 1 449 473 473 449 449

87
Paper 3 110 110 110 77 93

79
Waste 3 1,110 1,110 1,110 1,110 1,110

1,265
Flights 3 87 32 36 59 87

72
Taxis 3 35 19 28 35 28

29
On site fuel 1 3 31 2 3 3

3
TOTAL 52,972 54,475 54,395 51,736 50,030

48,336

Offsets

OFFSETS tCO2-e 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11
GreenPower 8,163 41,901 43,569 0 0

0
Offsets 3,564 12,574 10,826 51,736 50,030

48,336 (pending)
TOTAL 11,727 54,475 54,395 51,736 50,030

48,336 (pending)
Per cent of emissions 22% 100% 100% 100% 100%

100% (pending)

Back to top

How we do it

1. Measure

Accurate accounting of emissions with independent verification is essential to any carbon neutral claim. 

The City's emissions boundary and factors are based on the National Carbon Offset Standard, National Greenhouse Accounts Factors, National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Guidelines 2008, and the WRI Greenhouse Gas Protocol.

emissions scope

Our inventory includes all Scope 1 (gas, fleet fuel etc) and Scope 2 (mains electricity) emissions and many Scope-3 emissions (such as flights, taxis, contractors fuel, and events).

Click here to view the City's assurance statements and process document which outlines the methods and factors used to develop our emissions inventory.

2. Avoid and reduce

The City has been achieving real energy and greenhouse gas emissions savings in our buildings, street lighting, and fleet operations. We have started a water and energy retrofit that will reduce our 2006 emissions by 23% in addition to savings already achieved. Click here for more.

3. Switch green

In previous years the City of Sydney used 100 per cent GreenPower. We have now instead committed $2M per year to install renewable energy onto our properties, to generate clean energy locally where and when it is required. Click here for more.

4. Offset

The most effective way to reduce carbon liability is to avoid and reduce emissions. Offsets can then be used for emissions that can't be avoided.  Choose only accredited offsets to ensure they are real, permanent, and to avoid double counting.  The Carbon Offset Guide Australia shows accredited offsets available in Australia. View the City's offset certificates here.

 

Further information

Enquiries about the City of Sydney carbon neutral program can be directed to Nik Midlam, Carbon Strategy Manager on 02 9265-9333 or at nmidlam@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

Back to top

 

Downloads

 

Back to top

 

Last Updated: Tuesday 10 April, 2012

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.