The ACT Government is working with the community to reduce the Territory's greenhouse gas emissions and has initiated several strategies to achieve this.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Targets
In October 2010, the ACT Legislative Assembly passed legislation for the introduction of the most ambitions greenhouse gas reductions targets in the country. The Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act 2010 establishes emissions reduction targets for the ACT of:

• zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2060
• peaking per capita emissions by 2013
• 40% of 1990 levels by 2020
• 80% of 1990 levels by 2050.

In addition, the legislation:

• mandates regular reporting to the Legislative Assembly on the ACT's greenhouse gas emissions trends
• establishes a Climate Change Council to provide independent advice on climate change issues as they affect business and the wider community.

For more information, click on one of the following media release links:

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Targets Adopted rtf file (19KB)
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Targets Adopted pdf file (51KB)

The legislation is based on consultation and scientific-based evidence. Among this evidence is an analysis called Action Plan 2: Primer by the consultancy Kinesis showing that left unchecked, ACT greenhouse gas emissions would rise by 40% above 1990 levels by 2020. Mr Corbell released a further report called ACT Zero Net Emissions Initiatives: Gap Analysis and Opportunity Identification compiled for the ACT Government by the consultancy Heuris Partners showing the importance of shifting the focus on the debate on climate change to one of shared responsibility for reduced environmental impacts.

It has been estimated that the ACT needs to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by around 2,200 kt CO₂-e, roughly half of its current level of emission, to achieve the ACT’s 2020 target.