Feature Story
Reducing carbon emissions has re-emerged as a key driver for decision making in the business sector in recent times. Council’s corporate emissions certainly fall into this category. But what is the value for Council in understanding its carbon footprint and is there opportunity for costs savings and increased revenue that Councils can exploit?
What makes up Councils Corporate Emissions?
Like any business, Councils produce a range of greenhouse gas emissions as part of its operations. For Councils, the source of these emissions largely come from electricity use, fuel use (both Council directly and through contractors, waste management, construction materials and other purchases.
Opportunities
Like other businesses, understanding where these emissions are being produced can support Council identifying opportunities for cost savings and revenue generation.
Some of the opportunities can include purchase of “green” electricity through local suppliers and projects to swap out lighting including streetlights with energy efficient LED’s. Depending on local circumstances, Council may also be able to explore opportunities for delivering carbon offset on Council controlled land that supports other key Council initiatives such as habitat rehabilitation and bushfire management.
Understanding a Councils emissions profile also has the potential to assist Councils in pursuing grant opportunities that support local economic development through renewable energy and carbon offsetting.
Case Study – Etheridge Shire Council
Mead Perry Group has recently completed a corporate emissions profile for Etheridge Shire Council. The Etheridge Shire is a renewable energy and carbon farming hotspot being the site of current and planned major renewable energy projects consisting of pumped hydro generation utilising disused mine voids supported by wind and solar energy generation. It is also well placed to tap into carbon farming opportunities including savannah burning.
As a result of this emerging industry, the Council is looking to proactively engage in progressing a low emissions future for the region. The Council has taken the first step by undertaking a project to understand its baseline carbon footprint, which will be used as the basis to pursue future low carbon economic development opportunities for the Shire.