The City of Sydney has announced it will target net zero carbon emissions by 2035 – five years earlier than previously planned – in a move to help avert climate change.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the revised target, a feature of the proposed new Environmental Strategy 2021-2025, underscores the City’s commitment to action on climate change.
“This year we’ll meet our 2008 goal to reduce emissions by 70 per cent by 2030 – nine years earlier than initially targeted. We’re leading by example to tackle the climate crisis and reaching net zero as soon as possible is the next step.”
The target is in line with research confirming Australia and the rest of the world need to reach net zero emissions by 2035 to avoid the catastrophic consequences of more than 1.5 degrees of global heating.
“Overwhelming climate research tells us we cannot afford to take our time reducing carbon emissions in Australia – emissions need to plummet now,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Greening the grid, diverting waste from landfill and increasing green building standards will all play a part in how we meet the challenges of the climate crisis and create a city that is net zero in less than 15 years.
“Achieving net zero means the greenhouse gas emissions produced in an area must not exceed the greenhouse gas emissions taken out of the atmosphere through offset programs. The only realistic way to do this is by slashing the amount of emissions generated in the local area.”
The city will attempt to slash local area emissions by targeted programs to manage waste, energy and fuel.
The strategy will be presented to council for approval this month.
Following approval, the draft strategy will go on public exhibition from 19 May to 16 June.
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