Anna Mitchell
Acting Sustainability Director
Ali Dexter
Senior Project Manager – City Engagement
We're committed to acting on climate change and creating a more resilient and sustainable city for everyone, now and in the future.
The environmental strategy 2021–2025 was adopted by Council at its July 2021 meeting.
Acting Sustainability Director
Senior Project Manager – City Engagement
Our new draft strategy recognises and responds to the global climate emergency, builds on what we have already achieved and sets ambitious new targets.
It is important for cities to lead the way on climate action. This draft strategy outlines how Sydney will continue to be a global leader and create a more resilient and sustainable city.
It details how we will increase energy and water efficiency, use more renewable energy, move away from petrol-fuelled vehicles and divert waste away from landfill.
In 2019, we spoke to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, children and young people, residents, businesses, workers and visitors about their vision for the future.
People overwhelmingly want a response to climate change. They want a city with sustainable waste management and use of resources. People want to see a reduction in emissions, greater recycling and reusing of products and changes to how we use our city to reduce our impact on the environment.
We’ve taken insights from communities, government, and industry to develop this strategy.
It sets out 4 key directions and 23 supporting actions that we will take to achieve meaningful environmental outcomes in our city.
We also seek feedback on our draft environmental sustainability policy. The policy aims to strengthen the environmental management expectations of our partners including suppliers, grant participants and organisers holding events in our spaces. Our partners will be required to comply with the policy and supporting guidelines including single-use and sustainable design technical guidelines.
We’ll ensure our buildings, parks, services and supply chain operate efficiently and reduce water and energy use, divert waste from landfill and support circular economy outcomes.
We’ll drive all new buildings to be net zero energy and improve water, energy and waste efficiency in existing buildings through our planning controls, advocacy, partnerships and programs.
We’ll continue to support a shift away from private vehicles and towards public transport, walking and cycling, as well as supporting the transition to electric vehicles.
We’ll work with our communities, in particular our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, to make our city more resilient, contribute to regenerating the natural resources it consumes and ensure this transition includes everyone.
We'll support a strong circular economy, continue to drought-proof our city through water recycling and regenerate polluted waterways, air and land.
Through leadership, strong governance, effective communications, quality environmental reporting and increased employee capability, we will deliver the outcomes set out in this strategy.
From July 2020, the City of Sydney began using 100% renewable electricity, and we’re expecting operational emissions to drop to 76% below 2006 levels by the end of June 2021. Below is a snapshot of our new targets. The full list of targets can be found in the draft strategy.
Read the proposed strategy and environmental sustainability policy.
Consultation closes at 5pm on Wednesday 16 June.
There are a few ways you can provide feedback:
Use our activity kit to give feedback from your community group, school, family or neighbours.
You can also give feedback by email to [email protected]
Acting Sustainability Director
Senior Project Manager – City Engagement