WAGGA City Council has stuck to its climate change promise and appears set to hit its long-held goal of reducing carbon emissions by 20 per cent.
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In March 2008, the council pledged its intention to reduce "greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent by the year 2020, based on 2005 emissions levels", with the target enshrined in a NSW Mayors' Agreement on Climate Change document.
If met, this would see total electricity and gas-related emissions drop from 12,786 tonnes as recorded in 2005 to about 10,229 tonnes by 2020.
While data for the 2019-20 financial year will not be released until October, the latest figures for the 2018-19 period shows a total of 9764 tonnes of CO2 produced by council through its electricity and gas, with an additional 1955 from fuel.
The figures did not please all though, with climate change activist Ray Goodlass saying it was not enough to make a lasting impact.
"Twenty per cent over 15 years is way too small of a reduction, because after all, what we're seeing is that a near 100 per cent reduction is necessary to fix the climate," he said.
"So, that's nothing to write home about.
"We need much, much more, and we can hope for a 50 per cent reduction over the next 15 years at least."
This time last year, a motion to declare a state of climate emergency was debated through council, which was ultimately rescinded.
Councillor Vanessa Keenan, who initially pushed for the state of emergency to be declared, said she still supports her initial stance on the issue.
"We are continuing to reduce our impacts as an organisation, but the motion was calling for fundamental change in making sure that we acknowledge how important it is to respond at a local level," she said.
"Particularly in a COVID and post COVID world, I think there's a real appetite among the community to see change for the better, and also the pandemic has provided the opportunity to make fundamental changes in knowing we can adapt and be resilient when needed."
Cr Keenan said the council still had "a lot more it could do" to improve the climate.
"Just because council rescinded the motion, it doesn't mean climate change goes away," she said.
Councillor Kerry Pascoe was one who voted in favour of the motion's rescission, and said action against climate change takes time.
"The council are doing an extremely good job, and their efforts are in place for the next five or so years," he said.
"There are many initiatives like upgrading electricity in buildings and light, the use of solar panels, things like that which we will begin to see the positive impact of in the years ahead.
"I do stand by my decision, we did not need to declare a state of climate emergency."
In other news:
A spokesperson from Wagga City Council said there were a number of achievements and the growing population that should be considered in the bigger picture.
"Council is managing a slight downward trend despite the demands of a growing asset portfolio," they stated.
"This is due to energy saving initiatives, roof top solar installations, and a general move towards more efficient fleet vehicles and plant, which includes the trial of an electric vehicle."
Over the last five years, council's emissions have seen a slight, steady decline from 12,766 tonnes of CO2 in the 2014/2015 financial year to 11,719 tonnes over the 2018/2019 period, including both energy and fuel consumption.
The recently released Biodiversity Strategy also outlines the council's intentions to manage issues like tree planting, native vegetation growth and climate resilience.