Page 23 - Tropic Magazine Issue 36

TROPIC • ENVIRONMENT

Carbon target

CLIMATE CHANGE “As the guardians of two World The report to Council said reaching
Heritage-listed natural environments net zero will be more difficult with the
Cairns Regional Council has – the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics inclusion of Scope Three emissions,
set a target to achieve net Rainforest – it is our responsibility to but it is a more accurate reflection of
zero emissions by the end do all we can to protect these assets Council’s true emissions profile. For the
of the decade. and our lifestyle.” Plans for vehicle fleet wider community, the report includes
electrification and the development of a objectives to support reductions. An
Smart Green Investment Prospectus also emissions inventory for the Cairns Local
Words: Renee Cluff
form part of the plan. Government Area is planned,
Cairns Regional Council’s Climate while more EV charging stations
Change Strategy 2030 aims to ensure and E-mobility initiatives will be
its own operations are carbon neutral in supported through an Integrated
less than eight years. Among more than We have to balance Transport Strategy.
100 actions to achieve that target is a the needs of our growing “We have listened to the community
move to total renewable electricity and and taken advice from authorities in the
procurement from sustainable sources. city with preserving our climate sector,” Cr Manning said.
“We all recognise that our natural natural assets “Over 88 per cent of respondents to
environment is the region’s greatest Council’s climate change survey said they
asset, but it is under increasing pressure Cr Bob Manning wanted Council to show leadership and
from climate change,” said Mayor Bob Cairns Mayor action on climate change. The Cairns
Manning. “A tidal wave of evidence is Climate Change Strategy 2030 reinforces
mounting that climate change is already That’s because targets now need to that Council recognised the important
impacting the environment – global cover Scope Three emissions, which are role it has in preserving the natural
temperatures are rising, glaciers have indirect emissions generated in the wider environment, supporting the community
shrunk, and plant and animal habitats economy – such as the production and to make greener choices, and assisting in
have shifted. transport of goods and services. mitigating the effects of climate change.”
Between 2010 and 2020 Council reduced
its greenhouse gas emissions by 46 per
Sustainably supplying to Council cent through a raft of measures including
wastewater treatment plant upgrades,
Do you want to get in on the and opportunities of a net zero landfill gas management,
green action? This August and emissions world, around 300 solar power installations and the rollout
September, Cairns Airport is delegates from across the country of hybrid cars.
hosting the International Business, and the globe are expected to
Environment & Climate Conference. attend the conference. Stan Grant
Aimed at helping business is locked in as MC.
leaders navigate the challenges MORE: ibecccairns.com MORE: cairns.qld.gov.au

23 • tropicnow.com.au