In April 2023, we acknowledged the profound consequences of a warming climate. We committed to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 40% of the levels recorded in 2016-17 by the year 2030. We are developing a comprehensive strategy to achieve this goal.
The undeniable reality is that there has been a one-degree rise in global temperatures since the industrial revolution.
Expert analysis indicates that Tasmania will probably have an ongoing rise in seasonal temperatures, accompanied by changes in rainfall patterns. Our changing climate will lead to an increased frequency and strength of storms, floods, intense winds, heatwaves, and bushfires.
What are we doing in the region?
We are collaborating with government, scientific, and community organisations to reduce greenhouse gases and improve our ability to adapt to a warming climate. This includes working with other Southern councils to develop policies, strategies, and plans across the region.
We are conducting greenhouse gas inventories to work out our carbon footprint. The ‘Regional Strategy – Embracing Change in Tasmania’s Coastline’ was published in September 2022. This valuable document, along with the greenhouse gas inventories and a previously developed Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (2013-2017) can be accessed on the official website of the Southern Tasmanian Councils Authority (STCA).
Other key projects we are working on include:
- An action plan to reduce the organisation’s emissions by 40% of 2016-17 levels by 2030 – as committed to by council in April 2023.
- The development of a plan for more electric vehicles in council’s fleet. There are 8 electric vehicles and 1 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in the fleet already.
- The development of an Urban Forest Strategy, with the aim to increase tree canopy cover in urban areas to reduce urban heat island effects.
- The introduction of food organics (FO) into our garden organics (GO) kerbside service.
View the Environment and Sustainability policies, strategies and plans.