The ACT Government have released their 2019-2025 climate strategy.

Under the new strategy, the ACT has committed to reducing emissions, from 1990 levels, by 50-60% by 2025 and transitioning to net zero by 2045.

The strategy places a strong emphasis on reducing emissions from the transport and gas sectors. With the ACT on track to achieve its target of 100% renewable-generated electricity on 1 October 2019, the transport and gas sectors will constitute the two largest sources of emissions in the territory from 2020.

Key priorities identified in the strategy include:

• Improve energy performance and climate change resilience requirements for new buildings and introduce minimum energy performance requirements for rental dwellings
• Improve liveability and adapt to the impacts of climate change by implementing Canberra’s Living Infrastructure Plan
• Consider the social cost of carbon in government procurement and capital works
• Shift to high efficiency, all-electric and climate-wise Government buildings and facilities.
• Support higher uptake of public transport by continuing to improve services to meet community travel needs.
• Encourage active travel by continuing to improve cycle paths and walkability.
• Continue to encourage the uptake of zero emissions vehicles and explore the need for further incentives.

This strategy replaces the previous Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan 2 (2012) and the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (2016) and is complemented by Canberra’s Living Infrastructure Plan: Cooling the City. It is aligned with the ACT Planning Strategy 2018, the ACT Housing Strategy (2018) and the draft Moving Canberra: Integrated Transport Strategy.

More information here