The idea of carbon-neutrality has been around a while now and an increasing number of areas are adopting the concept. Clean energy technologies such as solar power help pave the way for carbon neutrality.
The City of Melbourne – the city's government area of about 36 square kilometres – is one of the latest areas in Australia to become certified through Low Carbon Australia as a carbon-neutral city under Australia's National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS).
The city has identified four key areas whereby efforts to reduce carbon emissions will be undertaken.
For the commercial and residential sectors, the city is aiming to reduce emissions by 25 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively, by the year 2020.
In that same time frame, the city is also aiming to reduce public transport emissions by 20 per cent and decrease car emissions by 15 per cent, whilst achieving a 100 per cent increase in bicycle use.
Finally, the City of Melbourne has put in place a goal of transforming the power supply, with 18 per cent fewer emissions from traditional energy sources and an increased uptake of clean energy technology such as solar power.
"We’re already one of the world’s most liveable cities, our challenge now is to ensure we are one of the world’s most sustainable cities," said environment portfolio chair councillor Arron Wood in a statement released March 19.
"As part of our work we’re delivering new waste management solutions, upgrading several of our council buildings by installing efficient heating, cooling and water systems and making improvements to Melbourne Town Hall which will result in significant savings in lighting costs."
One of the ways in which the City of Melbourne is going about lowering its carbon emissions is through helping business owners to become more energy efficient and conducting energy audits in homes.
As well as this, the council is also introducing low carbon and renewable energy sources for public transport and increasing renewable energy generation, such as installing solar panels at the Queen Victoria Market.
Posted by Mike Peacock