ACT Climate Change Strategy

2019 to 2025

The ACT is committed to net zero emissions by 2045. We’re following the ACT Climate Change Strategy to help cut emissions by 50 to 60% (from 1990 levels) by 2025. We can all take action to reduce emissions for a more liveable city now and in the future.

About the strategy

The ACT Climate Change Strategy is helping our city reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for climate change.

The strategy will help us:

  • build resilience to climate change impacts
  • make sure we don’t ‘lock in’ future emissions
  • lay the foundations for our commitment to net zero emissions by 2045.

Read the full strategy [PDF 11.9MB] or executive summary [PDF 1.6MB].

Targets

The ACT is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2045 (based on 1990 levels). We’ll get there progressively. We aim to reduce emissions by:

  • 50 to 60% by 2025
  • 65 to 75% by 2030
  • 90 to 95% by 2040.

The targets are legislated under the Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act 2010. This Act was independently reviewed in 2021. Read the review [PDF 1.2MB] and response [PDF 253KB].

The strategy outlines the steps the government will take to achieve these emissions reductions targets. We all have a role to play.

Consultation

When developing the strategy, we talked to our community and stakeholders. Then we built the strategy around their priorities, interests and expectations. Read the Community Engagement Report.

Priorities

To reach our targets, the strategy has many priorities. It has a focus on lowering emissions from transport and gas, which are the 2 largest sources of emissions in the ACT.

Working together

Community, government and businesses need to be involved. To reach our targets, we all need to keep learning, improving and adapting. By working together, we can build a smarter, healthier, net zero emissions city.

We’re supporting community-driven solutions. We are also providing programs and support for low-income households.

Our Minister regularly meets with the ACT Climate Change Council and other stakeholders.

See what else the ACT Government is doing:

Transport

The strategy focuses on:

Learn about sustainable transport and travel in the ACT.

Buildings and energy

The energy performance of our buildings, and the type of energy they use, affect both our comfort and our emissions. We are moving from gas to electricity in new suburbs and providing incentives to switch from gas to electric appliances.

The strategy focuses on:

  • reducing emissions from gas
  • climate-wise zero emissions homes and buildings
  • supporting low-income priority households, including public housing
  • keeping our city cool.

You can take sustainable actions as a business or household to support a climate-resilient city. You can also make your home, school or business more energy efficient. Find out how to switch from gas.

Waste

The organic materials in our waste, such as food scraps and garden waste, break down in landfill and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

The strategy focuses on:

  • capturing the methane at Mugga Lane and using it to generate electricity
  • household waste education
  • food and garden waste collection for all households
  • supporting food rescue organisations
  • investigating organic waste processing.

Learn how to recycle and reduce your household and business waste.

Land use

The strategy focuses on:

  • sustainable farming practices
  • resilience and adaptation for ecological communities and ecosystems.

Learn more about saving water and using plants to adapt to a changing climate.

Why it’s important

Our climate is already changing because of greenhouse gas emissions. If we act now, we can create a liveable future for our community and future generations.

While fighting climate change, this strategy also creates other benefits for the community. These include:

Measuring change

We measure the ACT’s greenhouse gas emissions over time. See how the ACT is tracking with emissions reductions.

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Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.