What the ACT Government is doing
We’re taking actions to both mitigate and adapt to climate change. The ACT is a global leader in reducing emissions, having already reached a target for 100% renewable electricity in the ACT. Our government operations are cutting emissions.
What we are doing
We're a global leader in climate action. You can see this strong commitment to addressing climate change through our policy and the data behind it:
- Parliamentary & Governing Agreement 10th Legislative Assembly [PDF 469KB] is a shared commitment between ACT Labor and ACT Greens to serve the people of the ACT.
- ACT Climate Change Strategy 2019–2025 [PDF 11.9MB] outlines the steps we are taking to meet the 2025 target and build resilience to climate change impacts. It lays the foundations for achieving net zero emissions and makes sure we don’t lock in future emissions.
- Canberra's Living Infrastructure Plan [PDF 11.6MB] shows our actions to keep the city cool and liveable in a changing climate.
- ACT Climate Change Council advises the Minister for Water, Energy and Emissions Reduction on matters relating to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building resilience and adapting to climate change.
- NARCliM climate modelling project provides projections to help us make climate policy decisions.
- The ACT’s Urban Forest Strategy 2021–2045 [PDF 14MB] sets out the ACT Government’s vision for a resilient and sustainable urban forest that supports a liveable city and the natural environment.
We made a climate emergency declaration in May 2019. This acknowledges the need for urgent action across all levels of government.
We work with many national and international partners and the community.
Energy from renewable sources
Since 2020, 100% of electricity in the ACT has come from renewable sources. The ACT will maintain this from now on.
The other major source of energy in the ACT is gas which makes up 20% of the ACT’s emissions. We aim to complete a transition away from gas by 2045.
Find out more about our commitment to clean energy.
Find out more about switching from gas.
Find out more about Our Pathway to Electrification.
Leading the way
To lead our community, we're aiming for net zero emissions from ACT Government operations by 2040. The Zero Emissions Government Framework sets actions such as:
- making government buildings and facilities all-electric and climate-wise
- transitioning our car fleet to zero emissions vehicles
- transitioning our bus fleet to zero emissions buses
- co-locating government staff in centralised offices and supporting flexible work arrangements.
Interest free loans are available to government agencies through the Zero Emissions Government Fund, which are paid back through energy savings at no net cost to agencies.
Find out more about zero emissions for the ACT Government.
Reporting government emissions
Each year, we record and report on the government’s emissions against 5-year targets.
Since the ACT moved to 100% renewable electricity, we’ve seen a 40% decrease in emission levels across our operations.
Figure 1: The graph above shows the yearly totals of the ACT Government’s greenhouse gas emissions from government operations. The graph provides totals for transport and natural gas and for electricity for each financial year from 2016-17 to 2021-22. The values are expressed as tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents. Full data available in Table 1: Government emissions from 2016-17 to 2021-22 below.
Table 1: Government emissions from 2016-17 to 2021-22
| 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | 2021-22 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Transport fuels and natural gas (tCO2-e) | 63,415 | 66,176 | 66,069 | 63,995 | 69,068 | 63,221 |
Electricity (tCO2-e) | 111,349 | 80,160 | 40,042 | - | - | - |
Find more details in the Minister’s Annual Reports under the Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act 2010.
The ACT reports its climate change progress in terms of emissions reductions and adaptation each year through the Carbon Disclosure Project's reporting platform. This initiative provides a transparent, global picture of efforts to tackle climate change by governments, encouraging them to set emissions reduction goals and measure progress. In the 2018 reporting period, the ACT received an 'A', the highest possible rating for action on climate change, demonstrating global climate leadership.
Our greenhouse gas emissions for the ACT are also measured each year through inventory reports.
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.