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Draw Down or Capture Carbon from the Atmosphere / Offset /

A74Offset residual Council emissions

Progress

  • Not started
  • Planning
  • Implementation
  • Continuous
On time

Council is focused on reducing emissions and has a credible pathway to net zero. As an interim measure, offsets will have to be procured. In 2024, Council's Carbon Offset policy was adopted which seeks to; minimise offsets to a point where only ‘unavoidable’ residual emissions are included (legacy HFCs for example); maximise the benefits of any offsets procured (including ‘local’ benefits); and take advantage of ‘draw down technologies’ as they emerge.

Integrity principles listed under the Federal Government’s Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011 and other initiatives ensure that any credit used to offset emissions represent a genuine and credible emissions reduction.

Whilst Council is not currently seeking to be certified carbon neutral, only carbon credit programs currently permissible under the Australian Government’s carbon neutral certification framework and those meeting the integrity principles will initially be used by Council.

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  • Priority (high, medium, low)

    Low

Tasks

What's left to do?

  • Todo2025

    Offset retirement

    Before the end of 2025 Council's purchased offsets will be retired.

What are we doing?

  • Todo2025

    Offset procurement

    A request for tender (RFT) is being developed.

    Organisational emissions will be finalised in October 2025.

    Council has a goal of net zero by 2025.

What has been done?

  • Done31.07.2024

    Carbon Offset Policy development and adoption

    Council's Carbon Offset Policy was adopted in July 2024 and seeks to:

    • Enable Council to perform appropriate due diligence when entering and engaging with the carbon offset market so that valid claims can be made.
    • Inform procurement decisions to reduce risk and maximise benefits.

    It acknowledges that while actions to avoid and reduce emissions remain the focus and first step of Council’s response to the climate and ecological emergency, the offsetting of residual emissions is an important secondary step.

    The Policy plays an important, secondary role in helping Council achieve net zero emissions, by neutralising residual emissions via long-term carbon sequestration projects.

  • Identified CO2e savings

    5,000tCO₂e/year

Timeline

01/07/2025 → Continuous → 01/07/2028

Department

Aim

Sustainable Development Goals

Contact persons

  • Susannah Kenny
    Climate Emergency Lead & SECCCA Vice-President
    Planning & Place
Information updated 17.04.2025