Melbourne’s Zero Carbon Plan

The city of Melbourne is taking a giant leap towards reaching their target ofhaving zero carbon net emissions in the year 2020. The city council has propagated various programs and schemes over the last 8 years to achieve the ambitious goal. While they know that tremendous work is still needed to be done, the council is pleased to say that they are on the right track, and getting a lot of positive feedback and support from the community.

The Zero Net Emission Program started way back in 2003, and the city was internationally recognised then for its initiative and leadership towards environmental protection. In 2008 the program was updated to cope up with the demands of increasing population and carbon emissions. Today the program aims specifically to reduce carbon emissions across Melbourne in various sectors of the economy and community, including commercial, residential, transport, and energy generation.

As part of that the city council has identified four new key strategies to enable them reach the ultimate goal within the time frame. The city aims to reduce carbon emission in the following proportions either by carbon offsets or through renewable energy sources.

1. Commercial sector – 25% carbon reduction

2. Residential sector – 20% carbon reduction

3. Transportation – 20% carbon reduction

4. Energy Supply - 18% carbon reduction from conventional sources

Action Plan:

1. Increasing government support for solar power in Melbourne to encourage households to install rooftop systems.

2. Providing energy audits to households across the city alongside with energy saving tips.

3. Assisting the commercial sector to improve energy consumption through the 1200 buildings program.

4. Increasing the use of low carbon emitting vehicles and man powered mode of transportation like cycle through the Cycle Melbourne scheme

5. Improving the city’s energy generation through renewable means.

Let’s hope that they manage to achieve their admirable goal, and that all Melbourne residents will do their part to support these initiatives as well as contribute their own steps to reducing energy usage from dirty fossil fuel sources.

Still part of the entire program the city of Melbourne is now offering a retrofit fund to help building owners reduce their energy usage, conserve water and reduce their carbon emission. This is thanks to a recent amendment made to the Victorian legislation, which has enabled financial institutions to advance funds to building owners for environmental improvements.

The local government of Melbourne has devised a financial plan with affiliated banks to grant incentives to buildings owners wishing to make environmental improvements. This financial assistance is designed to aid them to overcome difficulties in the process of doing so, and especially assist building owners who currently do not have the funds for the retrofit works.

Various assistance programs

Although the 7th batch green building fund closed in March 29, 2011 the program has aided numerous building owners under the $240 million Clean Business Australia initiative.

Buildings owners who have improved their energy efficiency and water consumption will be able to receive tax cuts. Green star rated buildings can apply for one-off bonus tax reduction equal to 50% of the green assets amount.

The Victorian government has also provided a $60 million sustainability fund to encourage businesses and households to use renewable energy together with proper waste disposal practices.

Water efficiency is also an ongoing concern in Melbourne; the smart water fund will grant the city’s residents to undertake water saving projects.

Projected Outcome

Through the 1200 buildings program, along with all the sub programs and assistive funds, the city can reduce 50% of its carbon emission by 2030 or 383,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions and be a step closer to carbon neutrality.

The program will also have a positive impact on the total number of home and commercial solar panels in Melbourne , as more residents from all sectors will be encouraged to embracing solar as the financial and environmental benefits these green buildings offer become more publicised.